Howell North’s speech and debate team finished up one of their last competitions yesterday at the National Forensic League competition at Pattonville High School. Elizabeth Groenweghe, Aurora Blanchard, Samantha Kelly, and Missy Holmes all competed.

“Overall we did good for a starting-out team, considering we made it all the way to the National Qualifiers,” coach Theresa Maher said.

Groenweghe and Blanchard made in through three rounds of the debate category. Holmes, who made it through two rounds, and Kelly, who made it through three rounds, competed in the dramatic interpret ion category. All of the students felt passionate about the work they did.

“[My favorite part was] taking someone else’s piece and making it as dramatic as I wanted,” Kelly said.

Next weekend will be the last stop for the team at the District Finals.

While the students used their own talent and skill to make it though the competition they felt very thankful for those who supported them.

“Maher is a wonderful coach and all of the speech and debate people would like to thank her for all that she does,” Kelly said.