The AES Speech and Debate Team competed in the St. Thomas More  31st Annual Cougar Classic  Speech and Debate Tournament Jan. 18 and 19. For their first competition this year, the team did very well.  Sophomore Luke Butcher placed first in Humorous Interpretation, and Freshmen Hannah Robideaux and Reagan Thompson placed second in Junior Duet Acting.

Because these students placed in an area tournament, they will be competing at the state tournament in New Orleans April 4 – 6.

Many other students competed in various categories at the STM tournament, including:

Michael Dalman – Debate

Jacob Broussard – Debate

Tyler Malbreaux – Debate

Logan Throndson – Debate

Cate Stevens – Duet Acting

Carson Sanders – Duet Acting

Preparing for competitions takes a lot of work, but the students involved really enjoy it.

“I really enjoy speech because it provides me an opportunity to develop my acting skills, both dramatic and humorous, and meet new people who share the same interests,” said Luke Butcher.

Participants also enjoy getting to meet students from other schools who share their interests. Hannah Robideaux said that all the people she has met have been “really nice and supportive”.

The Speech and Debate Team will have another tournament this weekend at Comeaux.