Flathead High speech competitor talks her way to top three
HILARY MATHESON | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 3 years, 9 months AGO
Flathead High School student Scout McMahon finished in third-place in Extemporaneous Speaking at the 2022 National Speech and Debate Tournament held June 12 through 17th in Kentucky. (Photo provided by Shannon O'Donnell)
EDUCATION REPORTER Hilary Matheson covers education for the Daily Inter Lake. Her reporting focuses on schools, students, and the policies that shape public education across Northwest Montana. Matheson regularly reports on school boards, district decisions and issues affecting teachers and families. Her work examines how funding, enrollment and state policy influence local school systems. She helps readers understand how education decisions affect students and communities throughout the region. IMPACT: Hilary’s work provides transparency and insight into the schools that serve thousands of local families. | June 29, 2022 12:00 AM
After two days of competing on the national stage, Flathead High School Speech and Debate’s Scout McMahon returned home with a third-place trophy in Extemporaneous Speaking. She also received a $250 scholarship.
To make it to the final round of the supplemental event, McMahon, a three-time national qualifier, went up against around 250 competitors, according to Flathead head coach Shannon O’Donnell. McMahon also competed in Impromptu Speaking, making it to the semifinals and finishing in ninth place. O’Donnell said she is the first Flathead competitor to advance to the semifinals in two events at nationals.
Teammates Rylin Wilde, a two-time national qualifier, and Rachel Ottman advanced to octofinals in Extemporaneous Commentary, finishing in the top 60. Teammate Maayana Sattler also made it into the top 60 in Impromptu Speaking.
The National Speech and Debate tournament was held earlier this month in Louisville, Kentucky with 6,000 competitors from 1,500 schools in attendance.
Glacier High School Speech and Debate students also competed at nationals with Lane McKoy taking 12th in Informative Speaking. McKoy is a two-time national qualifier.
“Because of his outstanding tournament, he became the only Montana competitor to earn an automatic bid for the 2023 National Tournament scheduled to be held in Phoenix, Arizona,” Glacier head coach Greg Adkins said.
Glacier’s Alexa Wilton finished in the top 60 in Program Oral Interpretation. She is a three-time national qualifier.
Other Glacier competitors were: Mac Adkins, Bella AuClaire, Kait Giffin, Alden Lamson, Isaac Lorenc, and Davis Rennie. Flathead competitors included: Jasmine Anderson, James Francis, Mason Hermann, Emily Hove, Kadence Johnson, Annelise Mason and Ada Milner. Columbia Falls High School also competed at nationals with qualifiers Eddie Chisholm, Griffin Conger, Aiden Judge, Aiden Rohn and Emma Stephens.
A World Schools Debate team made up of students from the three schools also competed. On the team was Flathead’s Sophia Dykhuizen of Flathead, Glacier’s Fauth and Houseworth and Columbia Falls’ Aiden Judge and Aiden Rohn.
Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 406-758-4431or [email protected]
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