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On Saturday, May 3rd, the PHS forensics team headed to Marion, Kansas, to compete in this year’s KSHSAA 2A state championship tournament. Phillipsburg qualified a full team of 16 entries. After three preliminary rounds, seven PHS entries advanced to semifinals. Those entries included Hannah Kennedy and Callie Leidig in duet acting, Kaitlyn Rothe in poetry, Callie Leidig in impromptu, Hallie Jerby in informative, Lydia Walker in prose, Kaitlyn Rothe in humorous solo, and Callie Leidig in oration.
After semifinals, three entries advanced to the final round to claim state medals. Kaitlyn Rothe brought home the bronze in humorous solo and placed 5th in poetry, and Hallie Jerby placed 5th in informative speaking. The team placed 5th out of 35 2A schools competing at the tournament. Sterling High School won the tournament.
“I’m so happy for Kaitlyn and Hallie for ending their forensics career on the stage with a state medal. But really, I’m proud of this entire team. Placing 5th at state is a special accomplishment,” coach Kim Pakkebier said.
Other members who competed at the state championship tournament were James Kraushaar, Hannah Walker, Jhett Johnson, and Skyla Russell.
Also on Saturday, some forensics team members competed at state festival at Kansas Wesleyan in Salina. Garrett Johnson and William Jessup earned a “I” rating in IDA, Savannah “II” in poetry, and Hannah Umbarger received a “III” in serious solo.
“All in all, we’ve had a great season, and we represented Phillipsburg really well here at both the state tournament and state festival. We’re really going to miss our seniors because they have contributed so much to this team, but we also have some great younger talent to look forward to in the coming years,” Pakkebier said.
