LeCompte to Compete at Nationals for Speech & Debate
Launch the media gallery 1 playerLeCompte to Compete at Nationals for Speech & Debate
Along with 6,000 students representing 1,500 school districts across the country, Cassville High School student, Jillian LeCompte, will travel to Louisville, Kentucky in June to compete in the 2022 National Speech and Debate Tournament.
LeCompte advanced to Nationals after placing first in Humorous Interpretation at the National Speech and Debate Association Tournament (NSDA) at Republic High School the weekend of March 18.
Humorous Interpretation consists of a piece from any published work, edited to fit a 10-minute time span. The piece is then judged based upon how the competitor portrays the characters and if the piece is humorous. Proper portrayal of the characters should achieve a comedic effect for the judge.
CHS Speech and Debate placed third overall in team sweeps at the NSDA competition. Individual results are as follows:
- Kalia Miller: 6th place in Program of Oral Interpretation
- Gabe Mooore and Audrey Gautney: 3rd place in Policy
- Sam Sparkman: Semifinalist in DX and INFO
- Lecompte: 4th place in Informative Speaking
The CHS Speech and Debate Team has made 21 national appearances since 1924, with eight national competitions since 2013. Students did not compete in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Cassville Speech and Debate has had a successful season," said Mrs. Talana Hinson, CHS Speech and Debate teacher. "I am proud of the multiple hours of practice and commitment to excellence. I was elated to see all of Jillian's hard work and talent play off by winning first place at NSDA HI. I am excited and optimistic to see her excel in the National Competition and represent Cassville well."
LeCompte is a junior at CHS and is the daughter of Jill LeCompte of Cassville and the late Michael LeCompte. She is also a member of the Future Business Leaders of America Club, Student Council, Interact Club and is a cheerleader.