Atlantic Speech and Debate Team Wins Sweepstakes Trophy at Walnut Hills Invitational

March 8th, 2022 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Atlantic Speech and Debate Team Co-Coach Patricia Nicewanger, Monday evening, reported that the Atlantic Speech and Debate Team brought home the Sweepstakes Trophy at last Saturday’s 51st Annual Walnut Hills Invitational held at CAM High School.

Niceswanger said “I had not taken students in my 8 years here, and I do not know the last time Atlantic competed at this contest. It is held between the two weeks from District Individual Speech and State. This gives students a chance to perform in front of a judge and receive more helpful feedback and get some of those extra nerves out.

Atlantic Varsity & 9th grade took 24 entries to the Walnut Hill contest. Students perform in two different rounds, and based on ranks, can advance to a third round of Finals. 13 of our entries moved into Finals! Students then perform in front of a panel of three judges. Trophies are awarded for the final 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place performances. Atlantic came away with NINE trophies!”

Results are as follows:

Faith Nath–1st place in Acting

Keira Olson–1st place in Radio News

Nolan Perez–2nd place in Prose

Alex Garcia–2nd place in Reviewing

Nick Bennett–2nd place in Expository Address

Alexiya Moore–2nd place in Original Oratory

Charlotte Saluk–2nd place in Poetry and 2nd place in Literary Program

Josie Handlos–3rd place in Freshmen Poetry

Niceswanger said with regard to District Results, “We took 33 entries, more than I have ever had participate. 28 of those received a Division 1 rating and advance to State at ADM on March 12th. We had a great showing by Freshmen and I’m very excited to see the potential for the future of our program! These results show the outcome of many hours of rehearsal. Some students took pieces and cut them together, some wrote their own pieces. They take critiques very well to learn and grow as performers.

Walnut Hill awards a traveling Sweepstakes trophy to the school with the highest number of total points. Niceswanger said “Atlantic was thrilled to be notified today that we won the Sweepstakes trophy as well! What a great honor to celebrate our kids’ success!”