Loggers speech, drama, debate team hosting invite Saturday

The Libby Loggers speech, debate and drama team is set to host its first competition in more than 10 years on Saturday.

For those interested in attending, it begins at 8:30 a.m. at the high school.

There will be three preliminary rounds before the finals. Awards will be given out at 4:30 p.m.

According to coach Kim Lee, a lot has gone into Libby not hosting a tournament during those years. 

"During the years it was challenging to find dates that worked with the school year's preset curriculums and other schools do not always want to travel to Libby due to it not being in a central location," Lee said. "Also, the Libby team was very small through several years and then Covid hit."

But Lee explained that in the 2023-24 school there was an open weekend without any home activities.

"With the team having more students in it, there were more family and staff who were able to step up to help lend helping hands to make this happen," Lee told The Western News in an email. "Our activities director, Nik Rewerts, has been very supportive of us expanding our program. Our enrollment is up and we have parents that are involved and supportive. Having a meet in Libby helps the rest of the school and community be aware of our program. We are excited to do this!"

This year's squad has 11 members, including six returners from last year's season, and five are new. 

The seniors include Layla Dagel, Madison Brush and Baylie Ames. The juniors include Cash Vaughn, Julianna Shumate and Jasper Bowers. The sophomore class has Teague Thompson, Addison Skranak and Max Gorsch while the freshman are Daphne Johnson and Isabella Meyer.

With this year's turn out of students they are able to compete in Informative Speaking, Original Oratory, Dramatic Interpretation of Literature, Lincoln Douglas Debate and Impromptu Speaking. 

“So far this season, at least two students have placed at each tournament we have gone to,”  Lee said. 

The Loggers team is very small compared to other competitors schools like Whitefish, Corvallis and Columbia Falls. With the Libby team being so small compared to others they have to work twice as hard to place in more events to win a team trophy with students having to place and earning points in every event. 

But Lee is pleased with her team has performed this season, regardless of their size.

At the Browning meet, Skranak was fifth in Lincoln Douglas Debate, Ames was fourth in Original Oratory, Max Gorsch was second place in Dramatic Interpretation of Literature and Cash Vaughn was second in Informative Speaking.

In Frenchtown last Saturday, Vaughn was third in Informative Speaking, Ames was third in Original Oratory and Gorsch was second place in Dramatic Interpretation of Literature. 

"These students placed in highly competitive events out of a field of 30 or more," Lee said.

In their first meet of the season on Oct. 27 in Corvallis, Bowers took sixth place in Original Oratory and Vaughn took fourth in Informative Speaking. 

In Polson on Nov. 11, Vaughn, Shumate and Skarank each placed.

"I am proud of all our students. Some have not placed at a meet yet but they are still hanging in there learning and doing their best," Lee said. "All of the students who placed are deserving of recognition. You will notice that junior Cash Vaughn has placed at every meet. She is outstanding in her talent and drive. She is also an excellent team member and encouraging and helpful to the others." 

Lee explained the challenges and emotions that many deal with in public speaking.

"Public speaking is hard for and something many adults let alone students struggle with and fear," she said. "Being able to put fears and nerves aside these students have been making great strides in placing at every meet they have been apart of. They have never let the quantity of their team compared to others stop them from the quality of work they put in for their team. 

"The Speech and Debate team has worked had, putting in the time and effort it takes to prepare for upcoming events to practice and learn new skills for competitions through all of this year's round the students have chosen to persevere," Lee said.