Please join me in congratulating this year's MSHSAA District 6 Speech and Debate Champions, your very own Rolla Bulldogs!

Not only did these kids win 1st place in overall Speech Events, 1st place in overall Debate Events, taking home the enormous traveling trophy, taking EIGHT entries to the State Tournament,  but they also HOSTED the district tournament as well, which is quite the undertaking in its own right. Our very own Audrey Smith served as Judges Chair for the tournament, and Lillian Webb served as Facilities Chair, and both did a fantastic job! 

Before we get into the specifics of what these kids accomplished, we have to acknowledge those who went above and beyond to make this event a success!

To everyone in our community and on our staff who judged for our tournament, thank you so much! There would literally be no tournament at all without judges, and we were overwhelmed by the support we received from school board members, elected officials, police officers, MS&T faculty members, church pastors, teachers, parents, and just good-old-fashioned nice people who volunteered to help. We appreciate you so much!  

To our sponsors who pitched in for our hospitality room, thank you to El Maguey, Los Arcos, and Price Chopper! Thanks also to Blue Fish for getting our orders ready in a hurry! 

To the parents who helped staff the tournament, you truly went above and beyond for us! We are blessed to have the best parent group in the state of Missouri! Thank you Perry and Kelley Koob, Will and Sarah Loughridge, Jeff and Traci Heese, Amy Cornelius, Kathy Northcut, Michael and Michele Moats. 

To Mary Brooks, Terry Cremer, April Veo, and Becky Smith, whose work coordinating the hospitality room started months ago, and who quarterbacked the best hospitality room we've ever seen! Thanks go out to Idena Hale, Adam and Shannon Birdsong, Michael and Jessica Beucler, and many others who provided food. 

To the kitchen staff, custodial staff, and faculty members who so graciously shared their space with us, thank you!