Current Events

Speech and Debate takes State

Madison Staten
April 29, 2013

The teamwork of the Speech and Debate team showed in the many honors and awards they earned at the State Championship. Elise Brown, senior captain, credits the whole team for its success.

“We have had an unbelievable season, and the victories we’ve had do not exclusively belong to the people who take the trophies home,” Brown said.

At the tournament held at Western Oregon University in Monmouth, Ore., Hunter Bosson, junior, and Brown were one of the top 16 Parliamentary Debate teams in the state of Oregon. Joe Erickson, freshman, and Brown reached the semifinals for Duo Interpretation. Brown also took first place in Original Oratory, bringing home the state title in that division.

“We spent hours in the dance room and we were in constant communication to work on new ideas,” Erickson said.

Although they have won team medals, that isn’t the highest priority of this team.

“I love the shiny things the most,” Erickson jokes. “No, I really love the friendships made and the new people I met.”

“I have learned and grown so much as a competitor, leader, and critical thinker. I am so, so grateful for every competitor, coach, volunteer, mentor, teammate, and friend I have had along the way. Thank you for building me.” Brown said.

State was the end of a great season for the WLHS Speech and Debate team. Even though Brown is going on to Wellesley College in Massachusetts after graduation, her heart remains with the Speech and Debate team here at WLHS.

“It’s really cool to see what can come from dedication and hard work. My high school Speech and Debate career has been nothing short of incredible,” Brown said. “I cannot wait to hear about how incredible my team’s future seasons will be, because of the excellence this team so amazingly continues to show and the support our community so generously continues to provide.”

On April 27, at the team’s first annual showcase and fundraiser, the team earned almost $200. The team plans to use the money next year to attend more tournaments.

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About the Contributor

Madison Staten, Staff Reporter

Throughout Madison Staten’s life, she has always had a passion and admiration for journalism. “I love that journalists have the power to tell stories and hold the world to a moral standard,” Staten, junior, said. A journalist since eighth grade, when she was an editor, Staten has been an Amplifier staff member for half her freshman and sophomore years. “I have learned how to write with a professional style from editors and peers who have the same passion for journalism that I do,” Staten said. Staten’s journalism skills have given her the chance to write a monthly column about the community for the West Linn Tidings. She has the opportunity to interact with and learn from professional journalists and publish her work. Staten’s goal is to be an overseas correspondent in Israel. “I want to speak up for people who don’t have a voice,” she said. In addition to Staten’s journalistic life, she is also very involved at school. She is a member of Link Crew which mentors and leads freshmen, she is on the Honor Roll, and is a member of the golf team. Staten also interns for a city council member, Thomas Frank, and writes about the meetings she attends. Staten also has a deep faith that is reflected in her involvement at her church. She led a bible study for her golf team, volunteers taking care of children during bible studies, and attends a bible study at her church and another through Young Life. Despite having such a busy schedule, Staten finds time to spend with her family. She adores her two younger sisters, Savannah and Emme, and her parents, Kelly and Dustin. “They give me so much love and support,” she said. She enjoys having Disney marathons with her sisters and walking around downtown Portland with her family. Staten continues to chase her passion for journalism this year by being a devoted Amplifier staff member. “I can’t wait to see what I’ll write this this year,” she said.