The Starr’s Mill Speech and Debate season wrapped up on February 8. With its conclusion, the team earned two state champions in one school year.
Junior Zach Dorrough won state in novice debate, and senior Ella Griswold earned varsity state champion.
These are the first state champions under head coach Terence Fitzgerald.
“I am thrilled that both Zach and Ella won,” Fitzgerald said. ”I’ve wanted this for them for so long.”
Dorrough is a two-year debater who has seen major improvements throughout the past two years. He had a flawless record in Lincoln-Douglas debate, going 8-0 to win state.
He continued that momentum throughout the season, routinely placing on the podium and taking first in four of the tournaments he participated in.
“It’s months of preparation, research, and writing cases,” Dorrough said. ”You really have to lock in and focus hard on what is being said.”
Moving to the varsity competition, Griswold finished first in the informative speech category. Like Dorrough, this was a trend throughout the season.
With three years of experience, Griswold’s story has a little more detail. Starting her sophomore year, Griswold had to refine her research and presentation skills. She began with research on the golden age of pirates her first year, and, by her last, transitioned to the concept of nostalgia.
“We kept in mind comments from previous years,” Griswold said. “I was nervous I was going to choke, but apparently everything went okay.”
Both novices and veteran speakers alike did well throughout the season. This year marked the end of six senior competitors’ high school careers.