The Star Valley High School Speech and Debate team traveled to Evanston, Wyoming, from January 9th to the 11th to compete in one of the season’s major tournaments. The event brought together schools from across the region and gave students an opportunity to test their skills in a competitive but supportive environment early in the year.
The Evanston tournament featured a wide range of events, including dramatic interpretation, public speaking, and debate rounds. Students spent long days moving between competition rooms, observing performances, and receiving feedback from judges.
“It’s a really great environment,” said Cameron Trefren, who attended his first tournament of the year. “I love the energy going on here—it’s so creative and fun. The drama round was amazing, and watching other people perform is incredible.”
Many competitors noted that seeing performances from other schools helped inspire new ideas and techniques.
Behind each performance are weeks of preparation. Speech students spend time researching topics, writing scripts, and rehearsing repeatedly—often performing in front of teammates or even a wall to perfect delivery, movement, and timing. Debaters prepare by studying current issues, planning arguments, and anticipating counterpoints they may face during rounds.
Mock events are also a key part of preparation, allowing students to simulate tournament conditions without the pressure of judging. These practices help build confidence and readiness before stepping into competition.
While competition can be challenging, students emphasized the importance of learning from each experience. Colby Hall shared, “It could’ve been better, and it could’ve been worse, but overall it was a solid experience that helped me see what I can improve on for the next tournament.”
As the Speech and Debate season continues through mid-March, the team will travel to additional tournaments across Wyoming, Idaho, and Utah. Each competition provides valuable experience, helping students grow not only as performers and debaters but also as confident communicators. The Evanston tournament marked another step forward for the team as they continue to refine their skills and represent Star Valley High School.
