Shawnee Mission Speech and Debate Competitors Honored at National Championship Event

At the National Speech and Debate Association national competition, several Shawnee Mission students were named top competitors.

Noah Gruman, Shawnee Mission Northwest 2019 graduate, was named top speaker in the nation in World Schools Debate. He was named the top speaker out of more than 1,000 students who participated in the World Schools Debate competition.

Students from Shawnee Mission East, Shawnee Mission Northwest, and Shawnee Mission West were a part of the East Kansas National School Debate Association World Schools Debate competition teams. One team, including Shawnee Mission students, placed 17^th out of 193 teams in World Schools Debate. World Schools Debate competitors from Shawnee Mission were coached by Meagan Deutch, Shawnee Mission North debate and forensics coach.

“Needless to say, I am incredibly proud of all World School Debate participants and I can’t wait for next year,” Deutch said.

Here is a look at more Shawnee Mission highlights from the national tournament:

Luke Knopke, senior, and Reilly Kenney, sophomore from Shawnee Mission East placed 14^th in Duo Interpretation and advanced to the semifinal round. Their field of competition included more than 200 competitors, coach Trey Witt shared.

“To excel at this level, students must have talent, dedication, drive and they must be coachable,” Witt said. “Luke and Reilly possess all of these qualities so I’m not surprised that they did so well.”

Alex McCarthy, Shawnee Mission West senior, and Nicholas Wallenburg, recent Shawnee Mission West graduate, placed 11^th in the nation in Policy Debate.

Grant Colvin, Shawnee Mission East junior, competed in World Schools Debate

Ian Gould, Shawnee Mission East junior, competed in Humorous Interpretation

Jack Henry, Shawnee Mission East junior, competed in International Extemporaneous Speaking

Ana Sofia Lahovary, Shawnee Mission East sophomore, competed in World Schools Debate

Tyler Ruzich, Shawnee Mission North recent graduate, competed in United States Extemporaneous Speaking

Calvin Tran, Shawnee Mission North recent graduate, competed in Informative Speaking

Zachary Wallenburg, Shawnee Mission West sophomore, competed in World Schools Debate

Emma Worthington, Shawnee Mission West junior, competed in World Schools Debate