Winning a state championship usually includes assemblies or raising a banner to the roof of a gymnasium. But if you are a member of the Flathead High Speech and Debate Team, winning a state championship means going back to practice for another week of preparation for the next tournament. Two weeks after scoring the highest total in history en route to winning the state championship in Helena, the speech team was back in action on Feb. 13-14 at the NFL tournament in Kalispell, where they qualified seven members for the national tournament in St. Louis, MO. “They did a great job,” said speech coach Ivana Fritz. “Seven state qualifiers are all we would’ve asked for.” For these seven, the upcoming months will be filled with practices along with fund raising activities. Unlike other Montana High School Association activities, the team will have to raise enough funds for the team and three coaches to attend the national tournament. Fund-raising began Feb. 19, when the team handled the concessions for the Western A Divisional basketball tournament. They will continue to raise money throughout the school year. “Right now the plan is to fly,” said sophomore Michael Greig. “We are going to start asking business for tax right-off (donations).” Among the seven traveling to St. Louis, a FHS freshman will compete at the tournament for the first time — freshman Laura Smith will compete with her partner Alissa Militelo in Duo Interpretation. Seniors Jenny Bocksnick and Alyson Short will compete in Oratory. Juniors Mike Palcheck and Justin Dorr will compete on the US and Foreign Extemp category. Sophomore Michael Greig rounds out the NFL lineup in Parli/Debate House. The seven members and three coaches broke the school record that had been since 1985. “I knew someone from my event or a few people from our team would qualify,” said Dorr. “I didn’t think about it being me.” According to Dorr, the team will take a month off of practices in the spring before working for the St. Louis tournament. “It’s going to be nice to get a break,” said Greig. “Speech has become a part of my nightly schedule.” Last year, Flathead sent three orators and two coaches to the National Tournament in Minneapolis. Surprisingly, this year’s national team has no returners. The group is made up mainly of underclassmen who will return next season. “It looks to be a great team,” said Fritz. “The team seems very committed.” |
