Lennox students attend National Tournament

Emersen Lee, Noah Sitter, and Gavin Swier at the National Tournament on Wednesday.

On June 15 through June 20, three Lennox students participated in the National Speech and Debate tournament that was held in Des Moines, Iowa. NSDA celebrated its 100th anniversary. 

Lennox’s Noah Sitter competed in Big Question debate on Monday and Tuesday. On Wednesday, Gavin Swier competed in expository, Emersen Lee competed in extemp commentary, and Sitter participated in Impromptu speaking. 

The National tournament brings in over 4,000 students from across the nation. All of the students showed excellent growth and performed well. 

“I was very proud of the growth the students made and am excited that all of them will be returning next year. This experience is invaluable and will make them stronger competitors next year,” stated coach Mike Larson. 

Unfortunately, the week was met with a scary and upsetting ending. The team was watching the humorous interpretation finals on Thursday with about 1,000 people in the Iowa Events Center. A member of the audience rushed onto the stage right before the final competitor and was acting strangely on stage and reportedly claimed that he had a bomb. This led to a panic being caused in the center and people fled from the center. There was a scramble that caused students and adults to be knocked over and dropping items. The students fled outside the building but became separated in the chaos. 

Thankfully, Michelle Strege and Xavier Larson who traveled with the team, helped students come back together, and they gathered at a hotel outside of the expo center.  The team returned to their hotel and competition was canceled for the day. The person that rushed on the stage was arrested and the convention center was cleared making sure that there was no danger. 

Larson explains, “It was a very terrifying situation. I am saddened that after a week of fun and competition, that a person could cause such pain. I am very proud of how our students handled themselves and quickly got themselves to safety. I am also thankful that Michelle and Xavier were there to help our students and other students.”

The team thanks everyone for their continued support and are looking forward to the next season and working to continue to represent Lennox School District with pride.