Speech, debate, drama team hopeful

By FAITH MOLDAN

Bigfork Eagle

With numbers up from last year, the Bigfork High School speech, debate and drama team looks to do well this season in all categories.

"That's up by 10," Bigfork coach Charlie Appleby said of the team's 21 members. "We have 21 planning on going to state."

The increase in interest isn't just from incoming freshmen, but also includes first-time sophomores and juniors as well.

Last year's expository champion Kelsey Smith returns for Bigfork, as does fellow senior Abby Rundle. Rundle placed sixth at state last year in the impromptu category. Smith and Rundle are just two of the five BHS speakers that competed at state last year. Tari Skye, Krisie Henderson and Brianna Sefcak also return this season after being state-qualifiers last year.

"We're heavy on speech and not drama this year," Appleby said. He added that the number of students allows the team to cover a wide variety of categories and gives it a good chance at doing well across the board.

The team also welcomes a new assistant coach this year. Shannon Seidler joins Appleby in coaching. She is currently employed by Snyder Law Office and holds degrees in teaching and English literature.

"I wanted to work with the kids," Seidler said.

This year also marks the first time in a few years that the team has included Lincoln-Douglas debaters. Ernie Cottle, Caitlann O'Dell and Gavyn Duthie will debate for Bigfork. The debate topics covered in November will be the death penalty and plea bargaining in exchange for testimony.

Bigfork hosts its own speech meet this Saturday, Nov. 3. Speakers begin the first round at 8:30 a.m. Volunteers to judge are always welcomed. Contact Appleby at the high school — 837-7420 — for more information on how you can help.

This year's meet will have 13 schools from all over western Montana, from Corvallis to Libby. That also includes B schools and AA schools and of course the complete Northwest Division of A schools. Every building and every room on the Bigfork campus will be necessary to accommodate the number of competitors, according to Appleby. There will be 15 categories relying on 57 judges for five rounds and a finals round. All the competition culminates in an awards assembly around 5 p.m. Schools can begin registration at 7:15 a.m. Some schools like Corvallis or Hamilton may leave as early as 3 a.m. to make it to the meet, and won't leave Bigfork until after 6 p.m. The dedication and energy it requires from these kids is absolutely amazing, Appleby said, especially since they are not heralded as heroes at their schools.

"They aren't doing it for the accolades and that says a lot," Appleby said.

Medals and trophies will be awarded to winning teams and individuals.

Bigfork's lineup of speakers and debaters at the Bigfork Invite includes Kendra Brook and Gwen Fratt in humorous solo, Jerry Gaiser and Jacob Sefcak in humorous duo, Angela Gross, Henderson and Skye in serious oral interp, AnnMarie Losee, Laura Colvin, Lena Olson and Abby Rundle in impromptu, O'Dell, Cottle and Duthie in Lincoln-Douglas Debate, Brianna Sefcak in serious solo, Smith in expository, Kayla Carlson in memorize public address and Rebecca Denning in humorous oral interp.

The speech, debate and drama team's season schedule is as follows:

Nov. 3 Bigfork Invite, 8 a.m.

Nov. 10 Polson Invite, 8 a.m.

Nov. 16-17 Kalispell Invite, 8 a.m.

Dec. 1 Whitefish Invite, 8 a.m.

Dec. 8 Libby Invite, 8 a.m.

Dec. 15 Ronan Invite, TBA

Jan. 18-19 Divisionals at Columbia Falls, TBA

Jan. 25-26 State at Havre, TBA