Griffieon & Xiao compete at National Speech and Debate Tournament

 

Perrysburg High School Juniors Abigail Griffieon and Jack Xiao travelled with head coach Debra Kemp to compete in the 2016 National Speech and Debate Tournament held in Salt Lake City, Utah from June 12 thru June 17. Abbey Griffieon wrote and performed an original oration titled “The Real Sixth Sense.” She also competed and advanced five rounds in Expository with an informative speech describing the origins of regional colloquialisms in the United States. Jack Xiao was the first dramatic interpreter to have ever competed at Nationals from Perrysburg High School. His selection performance was “Skyrockets” by JD Taylor. He also competed and advanced three rounds in poetry with program entitled: “Living Life to the Fullest.”

The National Speech and Debate Tournament marks the capstone of high school speech and debate activities for nearly 130,000 students around the country. The National Tournament is the largest academic contest in the world. The National Tournament has run continuously since 1931 and awards students more than $200,000 in college scholarships. To attend, students must place among the top competitors at one of 110 District Tournaments throughout the 50 states. Final rounds are judged by blue ribbon panels including CEOs, former Cabinet members, stage and screen celebrities, sponsors and acclaimed community members in addition to the most honored and accomplished coaches in the country. Perrysburg High School Speech and Debate team has had 14 national appearances and 23 national qualifiers since re-establishing the Charter in 1999.

For more information on how you can support or be a part of the Perrysburg Team contact Head Coach, Debra Kemp at [email protected]. or visit The National Speech and Debate Association website at http://www.speechanddebate.org.