Parkersburg South High School team earns membership to National Speech & Debate Association
PARKERSBURG — Parkersburg South High School’s speech and debate team has earned charter membership in the National Speech & Debate Association.
“Over the past three years, Parkersburg South HS has earned more than 50 degrees for outstanding participation in speech and debate activities. Degrees are earned by students and coaches through speech and debate competition, community service, and leadership activities,” the association said in a press release Thursday. “Charter school membership is the highest school honor you can achieve as a part of the National Speech & Debate Association.”
“We’re all very excited,” said Michelle Talbott, teacher adviser for the Speaking Patriots. “It’s a goal we’ve been working toward for a long time. It’s a prestigious recognition.”
In September, the South speech team placed third at the season opener national tournament at the University of Kentucky.
Later that month, the Speaking Patriots placed 24th out of 213 teams at a national tournament at Yale University in New Haven, Conn.. More than 1,300 students representing 38 states competed.
“We’ve had so many members do so well for an extended amount of time, we were recognized for our efforts by the National Speech & Debate Association,” Talbott said. Charter status is the highest honor bestowed by the association, she said.
“Participation in speech and debate changes lives,” said J. Scott Wunn, executive director of the National Speech & Debate Association. “We are extremely proud of our charter schools, coaches, and students for their hard work and dedication to this transformative activity.”
The South speech and debate program has 24 members, ranging from freshmen to seniors. Talbott said nationally, participating in speech and debate has led to students exhibiting higher attendance, a greater chance of graduating, and overall improved academic performance.
“When you get a kid to come to school because of something they enjoy, it overflows into everything else they do,” Talbott said.
The National Speech & Debate Association is the largest interscholastic speech and debate organization serving middle school, high school, and collegiate students in the United States. For more information, visit speechanddebate.org.