In less than a month, the record-breaking Wheeling Park High School Speech and Debate Team will start their “Road to 45” as they compete in the West Virginia Novice Tournaments at Parkersburg High School Sept. 21st and 28th.
There is a lot of excitement surrounding the start of the season, especially when it comes to preparing the team and starting practices. Several team members have expressed their thoughts on how the “Road to 45” is looking thus far.
“I am really excited for the season to start. I think we have been prepping really well with the coaches and our teammates”, said President of Debate Mackenzie Kret.
The coaches of the team– Ms. Isabella Droginske, Ms. Kayla Nelson and Ms. Jennifer Mathieu– have also expressed excitement about the preparations being made.
Coach Mathieu said, “I am really excited about this season. We have such talent from seniors down to sophomores”.
The tournament on the 21st will kick off the season and solely consists of Congress debate, at which only select members of the team will be competing.
“Congress is similar to an actual congress session where we post legislations and resolutions and we decide if we are either for or against the listed bills. Then, we assemble a house similar to an actual congress setting,”as said by Vice President of Debate Ariauna Friend.
After the 21st’s excitement comes the West Virginia Novice Tournament, taking place the following Saturday. This tournament will host our school’s entire Speech and Debate Team as they attempt to start the “Road to 45” with a win under their belts. This is where some of the team members, specifically novices, will have a chance to really shine. Members who had competed in the Congress tournament will have the opportunity to compete in another event of their choosing.
“I’m also doing dramatic interpretation which I have wanted to do forever, and then I am doing original oratory and I love doing self written pieces so I am really excited to explore the different routes I can take with my novice pieces”, said Vice President of Speech Grace Robertson-Villamagna.
The team is currently adapting to this year’s leadership system referred to as the executive board. This is the first year implementing this system; in years prior the team would have captains and division leaders, but they have since been promoted to presidents and squad leaders.
When asked about the efficiency of the board, Coach Nelson said, “It’s absolutely incredible. It’s interesting getting to watch the leaders come together and strategize and plan and see a lot of the behind-the-scenes work that they may not have known existed.”
Coach Mathieu said, “The very specific roles outlined for each position have really helped guide those leaders to be effective. I think, so far, the executives have done a lot more to assist the team and coaches than in the last few years”.
Another new addition to the team is the recent Murder Mystery Dinner Theater, the inaugural fundraiser which took place Sept. 7th. Members of the team met over summer and afterschool to rehearse their lines, prepare their costumes and work to make the fundraiser a complete success.
“We feel the Murder Mystery Dinner Theater fundraiser was a huge success! First and foremost, we were hoping to raise money to help offset our tournament fee costs, hotel fees, and materials, and we far surpassed our goal. Our #Roadto45 is well paved now! I would love to continue this event as our yearly fundraiser. It really showcases our team’s unique talents and is a fun event for the community,” said Mrs. Mathieu.
All in all, remember to wish the team good luck as they travel to Parkersburg the 21st and 28th to compete in their various events. Working to win a 45th state championship is not easy–but with the work of the coaches, executive committee and dedicated novices alike, the Road to 45 doesn’t seem like such a dead-end.
