VHS Speech and Debate team takes third place at prestigious state championship

Caison Kirkland, The Valdosta Daily Times, Ga.
·2 min read

Feb. 29—VALDOSTA — The Valdosta High School Speech and Debate Cats traveled to the 2024 Georgia Forensic Coaches Association's Varsity State Championship at Marist School in Brookhaven, Georgia, on Feb. 19 and 20.

The Georgia Forensic Coaches Association highlights the academic value of speech and debate activities within school systems. Every year, schools from across the state compete and are recognized for their commitment to speech and debate activities and the learning opportunities they provide to their students.

The Cats, coached by Pam Childress, came home as the 3rd place Congress Sweepstakes winner, rounding out the top three placements in which Midtown High School (Atlanta) took the category and Decatur High School (Decatur) earned second place.

The VHS Congressional Debate Delegation members, Ada Brown, Jacob Campbell, Jessica Mohanty, Tobi Salami, and Malakai Seay, placed 3rd in Congressional Debate, and Jessica Mohanty and Malakai placed in 10th and 7th place, respectively, in the final round Super Session.

Additionally, Jacob Campbell placed third in Humorous Interpretation, and Ada Brown placed fifth in Humorous Interpretation. Jessica Mohanty placed sixth in the Program of Oral Interpretation.

The VHS Lincoln Douglas debaters, Hannah Childress, Tameyah Howell, and Marzell Usher, won three matches and finished in the top half of the competition. The Public Forum Debate team of Rumi Garbett-Chaitram and Aeryal Hall finished with a 3-3 record.

Senior and Team Captain Hannah Childress competed in her fourth and final State Championship. In June, she will compete for the fourth time in the National Championship tournament.

The Valdosta High School team recently showcased its state trophy at the Board of Education work meeting, where they were recognized for their achievement. Coach Childress took a moment in the meeting to explain the importance of the team to the school and the benefit it has on the students.

"Even if I wasn't the debate coach, it is the best thing a student can do in high school. No matter what job they'll have, they have to be able to communicate," stated Childress.

Childress ended their meeting segment by announcing they would travel to Iowa for the national tournament, even referencing an interesting corn museum the team might visit.