In the top row, from left, are Kylee Anders, Keely Roe, Reagan Polk and Rachel Dempsey. In the bottom row, from left, are Madeline Whitaker, Jason Benyousky, Alexis Ceniceros, Vivian Wise, Jessica Pogue and Ryun Hoffert. Not pictured are Emma Holt, Rachel McLane and Andrew Tenny. Photo provided.

Press Release

WARSAW — The National Speech and Debate Association (NSDA) has granted Warsaw Community High School Speech Club Charter status.

Kathryn Anders serves as the sanctioned speech club sponsor and head coach, with Jason Pogue as a volunteer assistant coach.

“We currently have 15 students on the speech team and two coaches,” said Anders. “On top of attending speech tournaments either through recordings or virtually live, we have been competing against schools across the country at every tournament. This makes this speech season the toughest competition year thus far.”

“As the Northeast Indiana NSDA District Chairperson, I am excited to recognize Warsaw’s achievement of Charter Status in the NSDA,” said Jeff Stutzman. “Becoming an established Charter signifies the school’s dedication and commitment to the activity. Charter status is certainly a worthy accomplishment that should be celebrated.”

WCHS first had Charter Status in 1951 and again in 1997. A plaque was presented.

Recounting the season meets and student achievements, Anders noted that on Nov. 21, 2020, at Concord High School’s Speech Meet, Alexis Ceniceros placed second in Program of Oral Interpretation (POI). On Dec. 5, 2020, at Munster High School’s Speech Meet, Jason Benyousky placed third in impromptu. Because of his placing at this tournament, Bewnyousky will receive a bid to attend the Tournament of Champions at the University of Kentucky. This honor was given to the top three places in each category.

On Dec. 12, at the WCHS Speech Tournament novice category, Ryun Hoffert placed second in After Dinner Speaking and fifth in United States Extemporaneous Speaking. Ceniceros and Vivian Wise placed second in Duo. Ceniceros also placed first in POI.

In the varsity category, Keely Roe placed third, Benyousky placed fourth, and Reagan Polk placed fifth in After Dinner Speaking. Kylee Anders placed second in drama. Jessica Pogue and Kylee Anders placed sixth in Duo. Jessica Pogue also placed sixth in Prose and first in Storytelling.

On Dec. 19, at the Northeast Indiana Speech Tournament novice category, Ceniceros and Wise placed second in Duo. Wise placed second in Informative. Ceniceros placed first in POI and fifth in prose.

In the varsity category, Rachel McLane placed third in broadcasting. Jessica Pogue and Kylee Anders placed fifth in Duo. Benyousky placed third in Impromptu. Polk placed fifth in both Poetry and Prose. Jessica Pogue placed fourth in Prose.

At the Jan. 9 Fishers Speech Tournament, there were over 25 schools represented with over 600 entries. Everyone was moved up to varsity to compete at this tournament. Roe finished top 12 in the semi-finals. Rachel Dempsey placed third in Poetry and Jessica Pogue placed sixth in Prose.

WCHS will have four students competing at the District Congress on Jan. 16. There will be five more speech tournaments before the March 13 state speech tournament.