After finishing second in region competition, the Emery High Debate Team Placed fifth at the 2-A State Speech and Debate Meet held at Bingham High School. Finishing in first place was Maeser Prep, a private school in Lindon, followed by Richfield, American Leadership Academy, Grand County and then Emery. There were 15 schools attending the state meet.
Emery had 10 students attend the meet and were led by team Capt. Bryson Hales who finished third in State in SPAR Debate and was a state champion in Student Congress Debate. Also placing were Colton Clement who placed fourth in State in Student Congress and second in State in Public Forum Debate. Tanner Petersen placed fourth in Impromptu and second in Public Forum with her partner Colton Clement. Also attending the State Speech/Debate Meet and earning points for Emery were Rachel Roberts, Adam Brinkworth, Madelyn Carter, McKade Hansen, Jaicelyn Shakespaere, Kayden Parkins and Hayden Johnson.
For the second year in a row, Emery has had a team in the state finals of Public Forum (Team) Debate. Last year Adrienne Carter and Talin Hansen were in the finals of debate and this year Colton Clement and Tanner Petersen were in finals. This State Tournament is the culmination of a year where Emery High students attended 10 tournaments and won 118 trophies, medals and awards. A couple of highlights were Emery’s second place finish at the Lehi Tournament and the first place finish at the Beaver Meet.
Following the Tournament, Neal Peacock, Emery High debate coach announced his retirement as the debate coach at Emery High.
He will continue as a history teacher and theatre teacher but this state speech and debate tournament was his last. Peacock has coached speech and debate for 30 years and has taken Emery High Speech and Debate teams to more than 240 Tournaments. Peacock also announced that Tom Hansen will take over as the new debate coach at Emery High beginning next year.
Hansen was a former high school debater at Spanish Fork High School.
Emery High places fifth in State speech and debate
"Bryson Hales accepts his first place medal for debate."