St. Michael-Albertville Debate Team Scores at Capitol

A strong performance in congressional debate capped a great day for the speech team at the second annual Capitol Congress in St. Paul.

Leading the way with awards in the toughest debate chamber last Friday were Jed Rothstein and Cody Goodchild, placing second and third, respectively, along with Michael Bruner who placed 9th. In House II LeeAnne Kovaks placed 7th. Also in the awards were House III’s Betsy Bartholomew (9th) and Stephanie Chartier (10th).

STMA has also become the “school of presiding officers,” with another strong display of leadership with four students winning election by their peers to govern over the House. Cody Goodchild, who presided over a session of congress at the National Forensic League’s National Tournament in June, earned a gavel in House I.  Anna Drobnick, Caroline Wochnick, and Betsy Bartholomew served as P.Os in House III. In total, 21 STMA students competed at the Capitol.

This tournament is equal parts debate tournament and novel chance to see the inner workings of government at the historic Minnesota State Capitol.

“Students get the chance to actually be in the chambers of the House,” said speech coach Mike Frickstad. “They sit in the chairs of legislators and debate resolutions as the lawmakers would.”  

Blaine speech and debate coach Ross Eichele organized the event, which included students from a blend of schools across the metro. In an e-mail to coaches, Eichele thanked and credited Nick Thompson, a Minnesota Senate Sergeant at Arms, and Al Mathiowetz, Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives, for their help in booking conference rooms and use of the chambers.

The next congressional debate event for STMA will be the National Forensic League’s Northern Lights District Tournament at Andover High School in December.