AUGUSTA – On Saturday, Jan. 29, the Great Bend High School Forensics Team traveled to the first tournament of the year at Augusta High School. The team took home seven awards and qualified two students to state. The results are as followed:
In duo acting, first year freshmen Morgan Francis and Paige Vansteenburg placed fifth.
In duo acting,  first year junior Mickie McNett and second year sophomore Michael Gieck placed third.
In original oration, second year sophomore Marissa Hosington placed third. Second year junior Sylvia Ofoma placed second, qualifying her for the State Speech Championships on May 5, at Topeka-Seaman High School.
“I spent hours writing, memorizing, and perfecting my oration,” said Ofoma. “I am very glad my hard work paid off and I am excited for state.”
In humorous interpretation, third year junior Chase Pumford placed second, also qualifying him for the State Speech Championships in May.
“It feels good to already have qualified,” said Pumford. “I’m really looking forward to perfecting my piece and doing well at State and hopefully, Nationals.”
Courtney Seever, Nathaniel Cheney, and Mallorie McNett also competed last Saturday.
“As a whole, I think the squad did a great job,” said Great Bend High School forensics coach Barbara Watson. “It is very hard to be prepared for the first tournament because the debate season just ended with the Varsity State Debate Tournament on Jan. 13 and 14. But my squad knew this so they started working on their events before Christmas because they wanted to qualify earlier in the season so they could continue to perfect their events throughout the year. That was their goal and even though we were working on perfecting our events until the last minute, they achieved that goal.”