Eight students from Mills University Studies Speech Team competed online at the Rogers Heritage "War Eagle" Tournament. They competed against 10 schools from two states. Only speech events were held at this competition.
In Impromptu Speaking, students spoke in three preliminary rounds. Two students, Chance Bradford and Alyson Tinsley, advanced to the final round. Bradford was the top ranked speaker out of the field of 23 heading into finals, where he ultimately placed 6th. Alyson Tinsley finished 7th in finals. Both students have qualified for the Arkansas State Tournament in April.
Three competitors won during the preliminary rounds: Bradford, Tinsley and George Belt. One of the most impressive achievements: all seven of the competitors in the impromptu speaking event finished 3rd place or higher in one of their preliminary rounds. The other impromptu speakers were Eddie Watkins, Vanessa Anderson, Keshun Allison and Xavion McLennan.
Destiny Clark was fifth in her prose preliminary round, but missed the cut for finals. Anderson also participated in the Song Lyric Interpretation event.
Thanks to the team's outstanding efforts, the group won 1st place Small School Sweepstakes. This is their second team victory of the year.
Members of the speech and debate team will next travel to New Orleans, Louisiana to compete in one of the nation's most prestigious tournaments: the Isidore Newman invitational.