The MPHS Cross-Examination team of sophomore Connelly Cowan and junior Taryn Thurman has earned enough points to compete in the Texas Forensics Association (TFA) State Tournament in El Paso in March of 2020. They are among the first five teams in the state to qualify. Cowan and Thurman competed at Lindale on September 21 and took the CX championship, with Cowan being named Top Speaker and Thurman earning third place speaker honors. This latest win earned them the remaining points needed to qualify for the TFA state tournament.

Also at Lindale, in Lincoln-Douglas debate, senior Caroline Rose and junior Reid Pinckard both made it to the quarterfinals. Pinckard also advanced to the semifinal rounds of Domestic Extemporaneous Speaking. Both Rose and Pinckard are close to earning enough points to qualify for state as well.

In Prose, freshman Madeline Tumey-Simmons placed 6th. And in Novice Oral Interpretation, Tumey-Simmons placed 2nd and freshman Silvia Sustaita placed 4th.

“The team has been on a roll so far this year,” said MPHS Speech and Debate coach, Cody Morris. “They put in a ton of work this summer and it is showing. Connelly and Taryn winning two tournaments has already surpassed their total of 1st place finishes from last year. Caroline and Reid both have a good jump on earning enough points to become the first LD Debaters to qualify for state in school history. I am so excited to see what the rest of this year has in store for us.” The team is coached by Morris and assisted by Lea-Holli Hensley.