Earlier this month, four Bristow students attended the National Speech and Debate Tournament in Phoenix, Arizona. From June 11 through June 16, Wake Tidwell, Leigha VanOrsdol, Taylor Webb, and Gary Daughtry competed in five events against some of the more than 6,000 students competing in twenty-three unique categories at the tournament.
According to Ms. Jessica Frizzell, Bristow High School (BHS) speech and debate instructor and coach, two students each competed in two events: upcoming junior Wake Tidwell and 2023 BHS graduate Leigha VanOrsdol. Wake Tidwell competed in the “Dramatic Interpretation” and “Storytelling” events. Although he did not progress to quarterfinals, Wake’s qualification proved an accomplishment in itself as few students nationwide make it to the tournament.
As for Leigha, Ms. Frizzell stated that she competed in “Program Oral Interpretation” and “Original Spoken Word Poetry”. In the latter of the events, Leigha made it to quarterfinals, ending her run just one place shy of making the semifinals. Of the total 270 competitors in the category, she finished fifteenth in the nation. Throughout her high school ca-
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courtesy photo reer, Leigha has qualified twice for nationals.
Finally, 2023 BHS graduate Gary Daughtry and upcoming sophomore Taylor Webb competed as a team in “Duo Interpretation”. The event consisted of more than 250 teams, each of whom performed a tenminute humorous or dramatic selection. The duo competed in twelve rounds, completing their run at the semifinal round and earning twelfth place. As the twelfth best team in the nation, Gary and Taylor secured the highest achievement of Bristow’s students in the National Speech and Debate Tournament to date.
Individually, Gary also earned an honor few students nationwide achieve. He received recognition for being a national qualifier for all four consecutive years of his high school career—'a rare accomplishment” as noted by Ms. Frizzell.
Additionally, Ms. Frizzell shared her appreciation of her students’ efforts and commitment to their craft, saying “The amount of time and dedication it takes to make it to the National Tournament is astronomical. Hours upon hours are spent perfecting, tearing apart, and reconstructing the performances that these kids create from published work in the hopes of making it to the ‘main stage’. These kids are incredible, both in their intellect and creativity. They have taught me so much that I will hope to share with future students.”