Front row from left, Caleb Schultz, Elsa Gram, Annika Davenport, Hannah Gram, Ryan Naffziger, Tom Hanlon. Back row from left, Connor Schultz, Matthew Davenport, Robert Naffziger, Coach Carolyn Connor, Michael Booton, Andre’ Green, Richard Naffziger. Courtesy photo
JMHS News:
The Jemez Mountain Home School Speech and Debate Team received numerous awards at the 2014 Annual New Mexico State Speech and Debate Tournament.
The team won 1st Place in Limited Entry Sweepstakes and 3rd Place in Overall Speech Sweepstakes. Twenty-five high school teams and 350 students from across the state competed in this year’s state tournament, which was the largest in New Mexico history.
The State Champion in Oral Interpretation is Tom Hanlon, a high school junior. Annika Davenport, eighth grade, is the State Champion in Original Oratory. Davenport and senior Connor Schultz were awarded 3rd Place in Duo Interpretation. Michael Booton, sophomore, won 3rd place in Impromptu Speaking.
In addition to placing, several team members advanced to the final and semi-final rounds of competition. Advancing to finals were: freshman Robert Naffziger in Humorous Interpretation and senior Matthew Davenport in Impromptu Speaking. The team of Robert Naffziger and junior Richard Naffziger advanced to semi-finals in Duo Interpretation. Connor Schultz and Tom Hanlon advanced to semi-finals in Humorous Interpretation.
Other team competitors at the State Tournament were Andre’ Green, junior: Public Forum debate; Caleb Schultz, seventh grade: Oral Interpretation; and Elsa Gram, eighth grade: Oral Interpretation.
Members of the team will compete at the District Tournament this weekend where they hope to qualify for this year’s National Speech & Debate Tournament.
