Cheyenne, WY – Twenty-Five speakers and debaters from Rapid City Central’s large debate team left Wednesday for the Hole in the Wall District tournament. 

While Stevens’ team went against the rest of South Dakota, Central’s has traditonally gone against the disciplined competition south in Wyoming. The schools Central competed with include; Natrona County High School, (The Alma mater of former Vice President Dick Cheney), Cheyenne East High School, Spearfish High School, and countless others. Central High School fared well with numerous students making it into final rounds, and one qualifying for the national championship in Richmond, Virginia in June.

The three-day tournament was hosted by Laramie County Community College from the 19th to the 21st.

Against the tough competition, Central’s own Kailyn Hansen, junior, managed to climb her way to the top, qualifying for the national championship in Richmond for House Congress.

The head coach of Central’s team, Ariel Porzorski told the newspaper, “I’m just so proud of what they’ve accomplished. Not just those who have won today, or at past tournaments, but all of them, for having so much integrity and competitiveness.” She ended by saying, “I’ve coached Speech and Debate at Central for a little more than a few years, and all of my teams were fantastic in their own ways. This team has felt the best.” 

With nationals ahead, Hansen and the team will now focus on fundraising efforts to support her trip to Richmond.