• Speech and Debate Coach Roberts is named 4A Coach of the Season
Star Valley High School’s Speech and Debate Team has completed the 2024 State competition receiving honors for students and coaches. Evan Dietz, a senior at Cokeville High School who competes with the SVHS team has qualified and will travel to Iowa in June to represent Lincoln County at the National Competition.
The District Speech and Debate Tournament took place in Rock Springs February 29 through March 2. “This competition is like regionals, but the top winners qualify to compete in the national competition in Iowa in June,” shared Katie Roberts, who serves as the Speech and Debate Coach at SVHS. Evan Dietz emerged as a national qualifier in the Congress event.
Fennec Burton finished as a 1st alternate in Drama and will have the chance to go to nationals if one of the qualifiers is unable to attend.
Several of the SVHS competitors qualified for the semi-final round in their events. Sam Draney teamed with Millie Hyde and Shelby Oviatt teamed with Zoey Scherbel in Duo, which is an event where two competitors team up to deliver a ten-minute performance of a published play or story. Zoey Scherbel and Aisley Ivie reached semifinal competition in the Program of Oral Interp event, which is a debate or question centered on current issues and events. Anna Altobell did the same in Oratory. Evan Dietz was a semifinalist in US Extemporaneous Speaking and Lincoln Douglas Debate. Maggie Daniel and Anna Altobell competed as a semifinalist team in Public Forum Debate.
Additionally, Roberts was named the 4A Coach of the Season while at the state tournament. Julie Lewis also serves as a coach to this team, which was awarded the 2024 season’s “Leading Chapter Award.” This distinction honors the SVHS team as one of the consistently highest scoring teams in the region.
The State Tournament was held March 7-9, at LCCC in Cheyenne. Students endured long hours and rigorous competition. “The team was so supportive of each other, they would go and cheer in each other’s rounds when they are able, analyze the debate cases afterwords and work together so well,” said Roberts. “This team has been amazing cheerleaders for each other. They are one of the most cohesive groups we have had.”
Qualifiers to the semifinal rounds included Sam Draney and Millie Hyde with their “seriously heart-touching Duet performance.” Evan Dietz placed 3rd in Lincoln Douglas Debate overall and 2nd in 4A. Aisley Ivie placed 2nd in 4A Poetry.
“As a coach, I am so proud to represent this fine group of orators and quality and ever growing in strength individuals,” Roberts concluded. We are so proud of them. We look forward to June and taking on the national competition. Look out for some students fundraising for exactly this cause.”
