The victories continue for the Wood River High Debate Team led by Coach Tim Neville. At the Hillcrest Forensic Debate and Speech Tournament held Nov. 19 and 20 in Idaho Falls, the debate team collected a slew of victories complemented by a special award to honor Neville.
"I had no idea. They completely caught me off guard," Neville remarked about receiving the award.
During the award ceremony, Hillcrest High School presented Neville, who's also a Wood River High School speech and debate teacher, with an Honorable Knight plaque honoring him for his dedication to debate. The plaque noted that Neville "lives the Code of Chivalry."
"One of the things I have observed is that he really lets the kids be who they are," Judy Stoltzfus, a parent and debate judge, commented on Neville's approach to coaching.
Neville explained he emphasizes preparation, honesty and integrity to his students. His approach continues to push Wood River High students to the top.
At the recent tournament, Wood River High School debate and speech competitors excelled despite the highly competitive nature of the event. Thirty-four schools from Idaho competed and Wood River emerged as one of the top rated schools.
Highlights from the debate competition include policy novice debate winners Johnny Dilley and Hunter Scarborough, Alex Abel and Chyna Karterman and Allison Rust and Kristin Cole. In the policy junior varsity division, Kenny Mauro and Aaron Elfering won the event.
During the speech tournament, winners Andrew Hall, Kyle Cole, Kenny Mauro, Gavin Kastner, Noah Brod, Ryan Chandler, Colleen Fiaschetti and Jared Stoltzfus earned awards in the final competition. In addition, a number of other team members were judged superior in the speech events.
A total of 50 Wood River High students participate in the debate and speech program.
