LAPS News:
The Los Alamos High School Hilltalkers and the Los Alamos Middle School Hawktalkers speech and debate teams will be hosting the “Peak Speech and Debate Tournament” at Mesa Public Library and Los Alamos High School Friday, Sept. 25 and Saturday, Sept. 26.
A model Congress tournament is 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Friday at Mesa Public Library and Fuller Lodge. Speech rounds, Policy, Public Forum and Lincoln-Douglas debate rounds are 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at Los Alamos High School.
The Peak Tournament marks the first comprehensive speech and debate tournament of the 2015-2016 season and will be attended by more than 200 students from across New Mexico. Los Alamos High School coaches Margo Batha, Christine Engelbrecht and Los Alamos Middle School coach Sherri Bublitz are seeking volunteers to judge congress, speech, and debate rounds or donate food to feed visiting coaches and volunteer judges.
Approximately 300 judges are needed to volunteer a total of 900 hours. The Hilltalkers and the Hawktalkers welcome volunteer judges over the age of 18 who work in any profession. Volunteers may or may not be associated with Los Alamos Public Schools. Judges must commit to a minimum of two volunteer hours and will be compensated with free food and much appreciation from students and coaches. Training is not required.
A variety of snacks, entrées, and beverages are needed to feed the 300 judges and roughly 25 coaches who will be volunteering their time at the Peak Tournament. Donations of disposable plates, silverware, and napkins are also welcome and appreciated. Food and drink donations are needed at 3 p.m., 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. and noon Saturday.
Please register to volunteer to judge at the tournament or donate food and supplies by visiting http://bit.ly/peaktournament.
Margo Batha, head coach for the Hilltalkers and former president of the New Mexico State Speech and Debate Association stated, “The Hawktalkers and the Hilltalkers are excited to host our 52nd annual tournament. We have a reputation for hosting one of the best tournaments in New Mexico, and we looking forward to another successful tournament.”
Los Alamos High School Principal Brad Parker added, “We are proud of our tradition of excellence in Speech and Debate and extend a warm Hilltopper welcome to all participants from across the state! Competition offers the means for all students to learn from one another in a manner that cannot be accomplished within our own clubs. We look forward to good sportsmanship, better learning, and a wonderful competition.”
Sherri Bublitz, coach of the Hawktalkers and secretary of the New Mexico State Speech and Debate Association said, “Our teams’ successes are due to the outstanding support we receive from the Los Alamos community. Without parents, community volunteers, and former speech/debate students, our teams would not be as strong as they are. We look forward to seeing many of you again at our home tournament!”
About the Los Alamos Hilltalkers and Hawktalkers
Founded in 1962, the Los Alamos Hilltalkers speech and debate team has been nurtured by a supportive Los Alamos community, growing to approximately sixty members and winning close to one hundred titles to date. The Los Alamos Middle School Hawktalkers speech and debate team was founded in 2011 by Sherri Bublitz as an outgrowth of the high school program and to provide another academically challenging co-curricular elective at the middle school level. They have won numerous awards since their inception, competing as the only middle school team in the state. Collectively, the Hilltalkers and Hawktalkers have gone on to compete together at numerous in-state tournaments and garner a reputation for excellence within the New Mexico Speech and Debate community.
