Republic’s speech and debate team captured first place at the Webb City Winter Classic, continuing a strong season that has included hardware from nearly every tournament.
The team won individual championships in multiple events. Haley Edwards took first place in Radio Speaking, while Sienna Blankenship won Program Oral Interpretation. Edwards added a third-place finish in Informative Speaking.
In debate events, Chase Simon and Lilly Chapman shared co-champion honors in Novice Public Forum with Izzi Dale and Lexie Paxson. Hailey Brake and Kyree Basnight finished second in Cross Examination debate.
Senior Gavin Collyott competes in US Extemporaneous Speaking, where participants have thirty minutes to prepare a speech on a drawn question. He also partners with Edwards in Public Forum debate, focusing on logic and statistics to evaluate policy proposals.
“A high point for me was hosting our debate tournament with Lexi and the rest of the team. We all had to work together,” Collyott said. “I was taught a lot by the seniors and juniors my freshman year which I carried on after them.”
The program has grown significantly under Coach Lillian Muehlberger’s leadership, with students competing across multiple speaking and debate categories. Public Forum teams debate current events and policy proposals, while Lincoln-Douglas debaters focus on questions of values and ethics. Individual events like Radio Speaking and Oral Interpretation test different communication skills.
“I am so proud of how much growth I have seen from this group,” Muehlberger said. “They have made a steady effort to not only strive for their own success but to ensure everyone feels supported. Although scores have been great, it is the desire for community that warms my heart most of all.”
Other Webb City results included Lauren Blades and Kyree Basnight finishing fifth and sixth respectively in Original Oratory. Hannah Brake took sixth in Informative Speaking. In debate, Lexi Simmons and Blankenship advanced to semifinals in Varsity Public Forum alongside Edwards and Collyott. Kara Finney reached semifinals in Novice Lincoln-Douglas debate, while Blades made quarterfinals in Varsity Lincoln-Douglas.
