Four Stow Bulldogs will advance to National Speech and Debate tournament in June

Akron Beacon Journal
·4 min read
Four students qualify for the National Speech and Debate competition this June in Phoenix after the recent NSDA Main Events district qualifier Feb. 17 and 18 at Canton's McKinley High School.
Four students qualify for the National Speech and Debate competition this June in Phoenix after the recent NSDA Main Events district qualifier Feb. 17 and 18 at Canton's McKinley High School.

At least four students will represent Stow-Munroe Falls High School this June at the National Speech and Debate Association Tournament in Phoenix.

The SMFHS Speech and Debate team capped its recent NSDA Main Events district qualifier Feb. 17 and 18 at Canton's McKinley High School by earning a Leading Chapter award and tied for first overall in district speech sweepstakes. However, the day was mostly about the students who qualified to the NSDA Tournament: Penelope Covey and Lauren Garfield (Duo Interpretation), Nolan Miller (Humorous Interpretation) and Jason Folk (Original Oratory) all qualified to Nationals.

Lauren Garfield, left and Penelope Covey, right, finished third at the tournament in Duo Interpretation.
Lauren Garfield, left and Penelope Covey, right, finished third at the tournament in Duo Interpretation.

THE QUALIFIERS: Covey and Garfield, both juniors, finished third at the tournament. In a field of 26 teams, only the top three qualified. They became the team’s first Duo team to qualify since 2018. As sophomores last season, they reached the final round at districts but ultimately finished fifth and as second alternates to Nationals.

“Penelope and Lauren have been superstars since their first practice several years ago,” said coach Jimmy Miller. “Though they’ve got lots of natural talent, they worked hard at all sorts of hours to make this happen. This was one of the toughest years I’ve seen in Duo, and I’m incredibly proud of them for breaking through and qualifying.”

Nolan Miller earned second place for Humor.
Nolan Miller earned second place for Humor.

Senior Nolan Miller earned second in Humor. In a field of 52 entries, only the top four qualified to Nationals. Nolan has now qualified to Nationals three consecutive seasons, becoming the first speech student to do so since Matt McCombs and Cameron Stebbins did it in Duo nearly a decade ago.

“As his coach, I’m proud of all the work Nolan has done. He’s put together quite a list of accomplishments over his last three seasons especially,” Jimmy Miller said. “As his older brother, I’m prouder of the fact he’s been such a respectful competitor to those around him. He’s also been a great leader on this team.”

Jason Folk won in both Original Oratory and Program Oral Interpretation, becoming the first competitor in Eastern Ohio’s history to win districts in two events.
Jason Folk won in both Original Oratory and Program Oral Interpretation, becoming the first competitor in Eastern Ohio’s history to win districts in two events.

Then there’s senior Jason Folk, who double entered in both Original Oratory and Program Oral Interpretation. He won both categories, both with over 50 entries, becoming the first competitor in Eastern Ohio’s history to win districts in two events. There is no double entry permitted at Nationals, so Folk will enter in Original Oratory. He becomes the first competitor in SMFHS history to qualify in Original Oratory. He will also compete in collegiate speech and debate at Eastern Michigan next fall.

“Jason has pulled off some absolutely absurd feats,” Jimmy Miller said. “He has reached elimination rounds in all sorts of categories, from Congressional Debate to Informative Speaking. I think that’s a testament to his skill, but it’s also a testament to his work ethic, which is just about unmatched. I’m proud of Jason – if there was anyone who could pull off what he’s done, I’m glad it was him.”

OTHER ACCOMPLISHMENTS: The team also advanced several students to elimination rounds at the district tournament. Though they did not qualify, their accomplishments were noteworthy.

In debate, freshman Joshua Jordan reached octafinals in Lincoln Douglas Debate. He won his first three rounds of the tournament before bowing out in the single-elimination bracket. Meanwhile in speech, freshman Malak Zaman, sophomore Hector Studer and senior Rosalynn McCluskey all reached semifinals. Zaman was a semifinalist in Program Oral Interpretation – he joined the team at the very end of January and, after one tournament of practice, ultimately qualified to States. Studer and McCluskey were both in Humor and were in the same semifinal room, though neither advanced to finals. Studer is a state qualifier, and McCluskey finished just one spot away from qualifying to States as well.

WHAT’S NEXT? The team will travel to Austintown Fitch for the OSDA State Finals. Then, in a few short weeks, the Congressional Debate students will vie for national qualification at their own district tournament on March 18 at Stow-Munroe Falls High School. Beyond that, it’s possible Stow will qualify additional students to the NSDA Tournament, especially through a Last Chance Qualifier in April.

WANT TO HELP THE TEAM? The upcoming trip to Nationals will carry significant financial costs. The team can accept donations sent via check to SMFHS at 3227 Graham Road, Stow 44224. Additionally, donors can contribute to the team’s parent boosters by visiting stowspeech.com/donate.

The team is also hosting its annual Team Showcase on Thursday, April 6 at 7 p.m. in the SMFHS auditorium. Admission is free, though optional donations to the boosters program are accepted.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Four Stow Bulldogs advance to national Speech and Debate tournament