La Porte Headed To Nationals

MISSOURI CITY, TEXAS - La Porte Speech and Debate members Brittany Ellenberg and Jack Swearingen qualified for the National Forensics League National Championships this past weekend with their stellar performances in LD Debate at the NFL District Tournament.

The District Tournament matched students from all over the Houston area in various Speech and Debate events. Students competed round by round and were eliminated after just two losses. Ellenberg qualified by going undefeated for the entire three day weekend, while Swearingen had just one loss. The La Porte students took two of just three available qualifying spots. Swearingen and Ellenberg will now compete in June in Las Vegas, Nevada for the National Championship.

Other students fared well this past weekend as well, including Jonathan Machemehl, who was not eliminated in LD Debate until the final ten students in the tournament. Also the team of KarolynPower and Lolie Martha lasted through to the final eleven students in Public Forum debate. This caps an unbelievable year for the Speech and Debate team, one which included a major variety of local, state, and national wins by many students.

Abbott, Bethancourt Qualify For Regionals

DEER PARK, TX - Last weekend, Seniors Tim Abbott and Chelsea Bethancourt qualified for UIL Regionals with outstanding performances at the UIL District tournament.

Both students competed in LD Debate and Extemporaneous Speaking. Neither students was able to qualify in LD earlier in the week, although Abbott reached the quarterfinal round. However, both qualified on Saturday in Extemp.

These two students will compete April 12 at Alief Taylor High School for a chance to make it to the UIL State Tournament. Good luck to both.