CJI Hawks excel at speech national qualifier

The Chester-Joplin-Inverness High School speech team had two students compete this weekend at the National Speech and Debate Association East District National Qualifier Tournament. 

The tournament was hosted virtually by Billings West High School.  More than twenty schools competed at this meet. 

CJI was one of only two Class C schools to compete at this tournament.

Seniors Cain Cole and Emma Wickum competed for the Hawks. 

Cole modified his memorized public address piece, "A Mother's Love" by Marc Mero, to compete in dramatic interpretation of literature because MPA is not offered at the national qualifier tournament. While Cole did not qualify for semi-finals, he did receive some strong scores in preliminary rounds, including a three in the first round and a two in the fifth round.  

Wickum was able to double enter at the tournament and compete in both U.S. extemporaneous speaking and international extemporaneous speakeing. Double entry is not allowed during the regular season at BC speech meets. Wickum received some excellent scores in her preliminary rounds, including a one in the second round of U.S. extemp and a pair of twos in the third round of U.S. extemp, as well as a two in the first round of international extemp. 

Wickum qualified for the semifinals in U.S. extemp and just missed qualifying for finals in that event, finishing the tournament in seventh place out of 15 competitors. 

All six of the finalists in U.S. extemp were from Class AA or A schools, with Wickum the only competitor from a Class C school to compete in either Extemp event at the ournament. 

This year was CJI's first competition in the NSDA East tournament and gave the Hawks a chance to compete against schools such as Bozeman, Billings West, and Gallatin, AA powerhouses in speech and debate. 

The NSDA East Tournament concludes the CJI Hawks' 2020-2021 speech season, which will be remembered as the season without a single bus trip.