Meet the Inaugural All-City Speech and Debate Team

The 2012-13 All-City Speech and Debate Team was named by the coaches of the high school programs. This was the first time city-wide recognition was presented to high school speech and debate participants.

“These are exceptional students who succeed not only in their events but also in the classroom,” said Harry Strong, head coach at Roosevelt High School. “By creating the All-City format, we hope to provide a new layer of recognition for students who excel here in Des Moines that is comparable to athletics and other activities. And, at the same time, we hope this brings some additional attention to speech and debate to attract the interest of more students and their parents.”

The co-captains of the inaugural All-City Speech and Debate Team are East’s Miles Menninga (the Iowa Iowa National Forensic League’s District Student of the Year) and Roosevelt’s Carolyn Evans (who received a debate scholarship to Western Kentucky University) and Nathan Leys (who received a debate scholarship to George Mason University).

Among the honors earned by members of the All-City team included six students who qualified for the National Forensic League national tournament and five who won state championships in their events.

2012-13 All-City Speech and Debate Team

EAST HIGH SCHOOL

  • Mile Menninga (senior), Congressional Debate
  • Heavan Chamberlain (senior), Congressional Debate

LINCOLN HIGH SCHOOL

  • Brett DuBois (junior), Public Forum Debate
  • Adrian Mitchell (junior), Public Forum Debate
  • Taylor Best (senior), Lincoln Douglas Debate
  • Sarah Herriott (senior), Dramatic Interpretation
  • Andre Flatt (sophomore), Duo Interpretation
  • Carlos Santiago (sophomore), Duo Interpretation

ROOSEVELT HIGH SCHOOL

  • Luke Theuma (junior), Congressional Debate
  • Claire Yocom (junior), Congressional Debate
  • Nolan Bursch (junior), Public Forum Debate
  • Michael Cummings (junior), Public Forum Debate
  • Anson Tonelli (freshman), Public Forum Debate
  • Emma Weddle (sophomore), Lincoln Douglas Debate
  • Crystal Hou (senior), Policy Debate
  • Stephanie Hou (senior), Policy Debate
  • Max Pilcher (junior), Policy Debate
  • Reid Wade (junior), Policy Debate
  • Carolyn Evans (senior), Original Oratory
  • Elena Hildabrandt (sophomore), Original Oratory
  • Lily Nellans (junior), Domestic Extemporaneous Speaking
  • Madison Holmes (senior), Domestic Extemporaneous Speaking
  • Nathan Leys (senior), International Extemporaneous Speaking
  • Murphy Burke (junior), Dramatic Interpretation
  • Julianna Courard-Hauri (junior), Humorous Interpretation
  • Jenna Pokorny (sophomore), Humorous Interpretation
  • Marlee Rutledge (freshman), Prose/Poetry
  • Henry Wimbler (sophomore), Duo Interpretation
  • Danny Drane (freshman), Duo Interpretation
  • Sarah Johnson (junior), Duo Interpretation
  • Rubi Cordova (junior), Duo Interpretation
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