A half dozen Speech and Debate students from Carson High School earned national rankings at an Online National Speech and Debate Tournament earlier this month, June 14-20. The contest featured 1,322 schools and more than 5,300 students across the nation.
Students participated during league tournaments at the end of regular competition seasons before Nevada schools were closed in March. Final rounds took place Saturday, June 20, and were livestreamed.
For each event, the top two competitors earned spots for nationals, and students were permitted to compete in one main event. If students qualified in multiple events, they selected one, and alternate qualifiers chose to compete in other events.
Students from Carson High School earning national rankings include the following:
- Mary Milburn, 55th in Program Oral Interpretation (gaining eight first, second and third place ballots advancing her to elimination rounds and earning eight first, second and third place ballots)
- Kieran Dazzo, 65th in Dramatic Interpretation (gaining five first or second place ballots)
- Rosalind Macy and Emma Peterson, 172nd in Duo Interpretation
- Valeria Torres and Vanessa Lezama Torres, 180th in Duo Interpretation
Milburn had been one of two students in the league to qualify for the Lincoln Douglas Debate, Informative Speaking and Program Oral Interpretation. She also was named 2019’s State Champion, but she did not have an opportunity to defend her title this year because the tournament was canceled.