Chisholm recognized nationally for debate prowess

Columbia Falls graduate Eddie Chisholm was recently recognized by the The National Speech & Debate Association’s Honor Society for reaching the level of Premier Distinction.

The distinction is bestowed upon fewer than 3% of all speech and debaters in the country.

Chisholm, who graduated in June, specialized in Lincoln-Douglas debate during high school, helping lead the team to two state titles during her tenure.

Chisholm didn’t win an individual state A title in high school, but she did win multiple titles in AA meets.

She recently placed 72nd in Lincoln Douglas debate at the national competition out of 600 competitors and 123rd out of 1,000 competitors in extemporaneous speaking.

In a few weeks she’s off to bigger and better things, as she’s enrolled at Franklin and Marshall College, a small private college in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

Franklin and Marshall doesn’t have speech and debate, but they do have a mock trial team, so it might be right up her alley, since she plans to study pre-law.

Her parents, Dean and Penni Chisholm, are both Columbia Falls attorneys.

She’s looking forward to it.

“I’m really excited to move far away and be with new people and figure it out,” Eddie Chisholm said.

Her advice to students competing in speech in high school?


“Just try stuff,” she said. “Don’t be nervous … I had some crazy styles in my freshman year.”

She also said try to slow the pace a bit.

“Everyone talks too fast in speech and debate,” she said.

She said she’ll miss the coaches and the program. It helped her get through some trying times in high school. Speech is a fun diversion and has some great people, she said.

“It’s such a diverse team,” she said.