Speakers: Thanks

I want to extend a special, hearty thank you to the judges who volunteered Dec. 1 at the Whitefish Speech, Debate and Drama Tournament.

We hosted 312 competitors from 19 schools who traveled dangerous snowy roads from as far away as Browning and Shelby to the north, Stevensville and Corvallis to the south.

To organize and host an event of this size was a daunting task. However, our tournament was successful due to the generosity and hard work from my husband, my colleagues from Whitefish High School, the coaching community and our team families.

There are many people I want to thank: Whitefish activities director Jackie Fuller provided on-site administrative support; team "Mom" Merri Williamson and her husband John oversaw the feeding of hungry coaches and judges at Whitefish High School and Muldown Elementary School; Glacier High School head coach Greg Adkins clicked the mouse and electronically paired events; Flathead High School head coach Kala Lougheed organized extemporary and impromptu topics; Whitefish High School cheerleaders provided supportive signs, salads and ceaseless energy as they "ran" ballots; Sandi Alessi breathed new energy into our debate program; and, finally, our custodians expertly conquered the debris generated from all those bodies at both schools.

Once again, to all who volunteered and were involved in any way, my deepest holiday thanks!

Pat McLaughlin, head coach

Whitefish Speech and Debate Team