Wednesday, January 29, 2003
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Wednesday, January 29, 2003 |
A season of firsts for speech and debate teamThe Starr's Mill High School speech and debate team has started out the 2002-2003 season with a bang. In the first four months of competition, the team has won its first sweepstakes award, achieved more than 100 National Forensic League (NFL) degrees, broken into the finals at a nationally ranked tournament and had its first debater to achieve the level of Outstanding Distinction. As if all of this was not enough, the team had its first Academic All American as well as its first wins ever in Lincoln Douglas and Controversy debate. A sweepstakes trophy is awarded to a team at a debate tournament for outstanding performance in the final rounds. Already this year the team has claimed two. The debate team claimed its first-ever sweepstakes trophy at the Sandra Silver's Classic in Calhoun, Georgia. The second big win was at the Central Forum at Thomas County Central in Thomasville. With an increase in wins, the team's overall state ranking has increased also. This year marks the first time in Starr's Mill's history that the team has accumulated more than 100 NFL degrees. The NFL awards points to competitors for outstanding performance in a debate or speech round. These points are then used to determine the degree level of a member of the team. Currently, the school has 113 degrees on the team making it the largest team in the district and the third strongest team in the state. The Starr's Mill team has had wonderful success at nationally ranked tournaments. This year the tournament schedule was upgraded to include several national tournaments. At Wake Forrest University in September, David Ballard became the first debater in the team's history to break into the Octofinal rounds at a tournament of that size. Closing out the semester at Isidore Newman in New Orleans, Brie Stanley became the first debater to compete in the Quarterfinal rounds in Lincoln Douglas debate at a nationally ranked tournament. The team has also seen several individual achievements in the first semester of debate. David Ballard has become the most successful speaker and debater that the team has ever seen. David has been awarded the NFL's top two honors, the degree of Outstanding Distinction and the Academic All-American. Ballard is currently ranked in the top 200 in the nation according to degrees and NFL points. "The team has begun what looks like one of the greatest seasons that Starr's Mill High School and the state of Georgia have ever seen," said Sean Bennett, speech and debate team sponsor. "The accomplishments of the last four months have contributed to a season of 'firsts.'"
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