Speech and Debate Team advances to State

For the first time in the Perrysburg Speech and Debate 20-year chapter history, the team advanced all 18 students who competed at the Toledo District State Qualifying Tournament at Wauseon on February 2nd to the Ohio State Speech and Debate Tournament.

The 91st Ohio State Speech and Debate Association tournament was held at Jackson High School in Massillon, Ohio on March 1 and 2. The Perrysburg team join over 1,100 other students competing in thirteen events. Representing Perrysburg for the third time at the State Tournament were seniors Gwyn Burns, Emma Rohrs, Elaine Park, Mateo Gutierrez and Gavin Rogers. Seniors Andrew Hogle and Emma Jaromin joined Sophomores Hanan Sjah and Evan Leong in competing for the second time at the state level. Rounding out the team were first year competitors senior Emily Marzari and six freshmen, Hana El Nemr, Merritt Backus, Dakota Bach, Bella Aromas, Sydney Rettig and Yasmine Maklad.

Also, for the first time in the Perrysburg Chapter’s history, two freshmen – Merritt Backus and Dakota Bach – qualified to represent Western Ohio at the National Speech and Debate tournament June 16-21 in Dallas, Texas. They were named District Champions in Duo Interpretation at the Western Ohio National Qualifying Tournament held on February 15-16 at Notre Dame Academy. They will perform “All I Really Needed to Know I Learned from Being a Zombie” by Jason Pizzarello.

During the 2018-19 season, the team competed in nine regular season tournaments, state and national qualifying districts and the State Tournament. The team is coached by Debra Kemp with supported coaching by Jennifer Lake, Alex Leong and Rick Rettig.