Mount Si seniors Ryan Hartman and Kevin Pusich and juniors Dana Korssjoen and Ruary Thompson made history as they grabbed 1st and 2nd at the 2015 State Speech and Debate Tournament last month.
Making it to the final round set up an unprecedented Mount Si versus Mount Si for the state debate title. In the end, the senior team of Hartman/Pusich took first and the rookie team of Korssjoen/Thompson placed second in the Washington State Public Forum Debate competition. This was the first in state history that one school had closed out the tournament, grabbing the top two spots.
By being tops in the state, both teams also earned spots in the National Debate qualifying tournament this June in Dallas. There’s one slight downside that comes with having two top debate teams – the Mount Si Debate Team’s budget was exhausted after the state tournament. So in order to continue to the National Tournament some fundraising is necessary.
An online fundraiser, with a tight three-week window, was established to help send 2015’s top two debate teams in Washington State to Nationals. Organizers are asking the Snoqualmie Valley community to help send the students and coaches to Dallas in just two month’s time.
To learn more or donate for the MSHS State Debate Champions trip to the National Tournament, visit their online line fundraising page.
Good Luck to Ryan, Kevin, Dana and Ruary!
Dana Korssjoen and Ruary Thompson, Kevin Pusich and Ryan Hartman (left to right) after State Debate Finals. Photo: SVSD
