MHS Debaters Win Brookings Bell Tourney

Milbank debaters won the first-place trophy in the Division A Sweepstakes of the annual Brookings Bell DebateTournament held December 15-16 in Brookings.The first Brookings Bell Tournament was held in 1983.

Individually, MHS junior Max Schuelke placed second in the Varsity Lincoln-Douglas debate. Schuelke out-talked 24 debaters – many from high schools in Aberdeen, Mitchell, Brookings, and Sioux Falls. “In addition, Max also received 148 out of 150 possible speaker points — that’s three perfect rounds!” noted MHS head debate coach, Kathy Tyler. Speaker points are awarded for the quality of speaking, organization, and the way the speaker handles themself during the debate, especially during crossfire. The highest number of points awarded during one round is 30.

Keira Steffen and Elexia Quintanilla also brought home trophies from Friday’s novice Congressional Debate. Steffen earned first and Quintanilla took second. Debrianna Hicks placed third in the novice Lincoln-Douglas event. “Debrianna also had a perfect score in one round,” commented Tyler. “Taylor Hallquist and Jenna Korstjens each notched victories in novice Public Forum and each achieved a perfect speaking score in one of their rounds.”

Isabella Glomstad and Tanen Schmieg finished with a record of 2-3 in novice Lincoln-Douglas.The duos of Jenna Korstjens and Taylor Hallquist and Franklin Pederson and Preston Laskowske each finished the day at 2-3 in novice Public Forum. Qualon Grant and Elexia Quintanilla ended the tournament with a record of 1-4 in varsity Public Forum.

“Friday consisted of individual events,” Tyler explained. “It was the first time any of the freshmen had competed in this type of event that includes Original Oratory, Informative Oratory, US and Foreign Extemp, etc. Yep, it was a learning experience!”

What’s next? The final tournament of the fall season is the Second Annual Doug Tschetter Novice Championship to be held at Milbank High School on Saturday, January 6. Everyone is invited to attend and judges are needed! (Yes, you can judge!)

The second half of the debate season starts with a new topic on January 13-14 at Sioux Falls Lincoln.