Freddie Mercury perfmoming "We Are The Champions"

The Speech and Debate Team, also known as “The Jesters” competed at the Georgia Forensic Coaches Association State Championships this past weekend at Evans HS.  This tournament is for championships in all speech and debate events EXCEPT Varsity Policy Debate (which Grady won two weeks ago!).  Here are the results:

Novice Lincoln-Douglas Debate: Co-Champions- Rachel Citrin and Tatiana Johnson

Varsity Lincoln-Douglas Debate: Champion- Lucas Bailey; Semi-finalist- Noah Johnson

Public Forum Debate: Runners-up- Tyler Olson and Ashley Brown

Prose/Poetry: Third Place- Jahra Gholston

Duo Interpretation: Second Place- Taylor Walker/Laura King; Third Place- Quameeha Grandiot/Lukas Olson; Fifth Place- Marius Jackson/Jahra Gholston

Original Oratory: Sixth Place- Laura King

Dramatic Interpretation: Champion- Taylor Walker

Impromptu Speaking: Champion- Micah Plott; Second Place- Daniel Gilstrap; Fourth Place- James Holland; Fifth Place- Leith Meador

Extemporaneous Speaking: Champion- Leith Meador; Second Place- Isabelle Taft; Fourth Place- Emily Atkinson; Fifth Place- Cole Bagley

JV Policy Debate: Octofinalists- Holden Choi/Ben Dean

Overall, Grady HS won the State Speech and Debate Championship!!

Additionally, the following students have qualified for the Grand National Speech and Debate Tournament on Memorial Day weekend in Omaha, Nebraska:

Lincoln-Douglas Debate: Stephanie Styles, Lucas Bailey and Noah Johnson

Dramatic Performance: Taylor Walker

Original Oratory: Willamae Boling

Duo Interpretation: Quameeha Grandoit/Lukas Olson and Marius Jackson/Jahra Gholston

Extemporaneous Speaking: Leith Meador, Isabelle Taft, James Holland and Cole Bagley

Declamation: Daniel Gilstrap

Policy Debate: Michael Barlow/Holden Choi

Prose/Poetry: Sarah Dillard

Public Forum Debate: Tyler Olson/Ashley Brown

Our next tournament is the NFL National Qualifier at Georgia Tech next Friday and Saturday.  Thanks to everyone for their continued support!