At-large bids are offered to select competitors with a record of top ranks in tournaments not hosted by NIETOC “bid” schools. Hassel and Walden have collectively “finaled” 39 times in tournaments this season. At Kentucky’s National Speech and Debate Association’s national qualifying tournament held March 20 and 21 at Centre College, the pair led an elite group of Tilghman speech and debate team members to a total of 202 national competition points. In addition to placing 4th in Duo Interpretation, Walden took 4th and Hassel 5th in Humorous Interpretation.
The scores make Hassel the highest point speech competitor in Tilghman’s annals, passing the former record holder Will Hancock, PTHS 2014.Meg Hancock was the team’s third highest scorer at the contest. She surpassed the mark of 1,000 points, and earned a Degree of Outstanding Distinction to moving into the position of top scoring female in Tilghman’s storied speech history. The spot was previously held by Victoria Potter, 2013.
Contributing to Tilghman’s showing at Danville were debaters Hasaan Ali, Jack Daniels, Brante Green, Lucas Reed and individual events competitors Ali, Marco Garcia, Hancock, Palmer Stroup, Carter Vaughn, and Kathryn Winfield.
Winfield advanced to a Degree of Distinction (250 points) and Garcia advanced to a Degree of Honor (75 points.)
The NIETOC is committed to bringing the nation's best and brightest students and teachers in Oral Interpretation and Oratory together to participate in a high-caliber and high-quality national tournament.
Submitted by Paducah Public Schools.