Skip to main content

Mars Area High School

Mobile Menu Toggle

SPEECH & DEBATE NEWS (posted 04.04.24)

Two members of Mars Area High School Speech & Debate Team earned recognition through the National Speech & Debate Association Honor Society.

Senior Lauren Karg earned Special Distinction by obtaining more than 500 “merit” points for her participation in competition, service, and leadership activities in March. Freshman Xavier Martin received an Honor Merit Degree by earning more than 75 points.

Mars Area High School is a member of the National Speech & Debate Association, which recognizes middle school and high school students and coaches for participation in speech and debate activities.

For more information, visit www.speechanddebate.org/honor-society/.

PHSSL State Competition

Xavier Martin and Lauren KargTwo members of Mars Area High School Speech & Debate Team placed at the 2023 Pennsylvania High School Speech League (PHSSL) State Competition, held March 15-16 at Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania.

Senior Lauren Karg earned third place in the Prose category. Freshman Xavier Martin competed in the House in the Congressional Debate category.

The competition brought together 655 competitors from 85 schools. For more information, visit https://www.phssl.org/states/.

National Speech & Debate Association Honor Society.

Two members of Mars Area High School Speech & Debate Team earned recognition through the National Speech & Debate Association Honor Society.

Sophomore Zoe Passarelli achieved an Honor Degree by earning more than 75 “merit” points for her participation in competition, service, and leadership activities in January. Freshman Xavier Martin received a Merit Degree by earning more than 25 points.

Mars Area High School is a member of the National Speech & Debate Association, which recognizes middle school and high school students and coaches for participation in speech and debate activities.

For more information, visit www.speechanddebate.org/honor-society/.
 

North Catholic High School Speech & Debate Invitational

Mars Area School District students (from left) Gianna Goodman, Xavier Martin, Lily Cicconi, Lauren Karg, Julian Coquelet, Alexa Knowlton, Samantha Knieriem, Isabelle Tang,  and Miles Stoops participated in the North Catholic High School Speech & Debate Invitational.Several members of Mars Area High School Speech & Debate Team competed in the North Catholic High School Speech & Debate Invitational, held Dec. 8-9.

Freshman Alexa Knowlton earned third place in her chamber in Congressional Debate; senior Lauren Karg took fourth place in Prose; and, senior Miles Stoops received eighth place in Impromptu Speaking. Other participating students included sophomores Julian Coquelet, Gianna Goodman and Samantha Knieriem; and, freshmen Lily Cicconi and Xavier Martin; as wells as eighth-grader Isabelle Tang, as a student observer.

For more information, call (724) 625-1581.

National Speech & Debate Association Honor Society

Several members of Mars Area High School Speech & Debate Team earned recognition through the National Speech & Debate Association Honor Society.

Senior Adam Julian; sophomores Julian Coquelet, Samantha Knieriem, Grace McMichael and Isabel Radens; and, freshman Kaya Gillespie earned more than 25 “merit” points through competition, service, and leadership activities in November. Merit points reward and encourage members to use their skills to improve their schools and communities.

Mars Area High School is a member of the National Speech & Debate Association, which recognizes middle school and high school students and coaches for participation in speech and debate activities.

For more information, visit www.speechanddebate.org/honor-society/.

Seton LaSalle High School Novice Tournament

Several members of Mars Area High School Speech & Debate Team competed in the Seton LaSalle High School Novice Tournament, held on Oct. 28.

Freshman Kaya Gillespie earned first place in the Dramatic Performance category; freshman Grace Nam took fourth place in her chamber in Congressional Debate; and, sophomore Zoe Passarelli received fifth place in Lincoln-Douglas Debate. 

In addition, sophomore Naveen Jayaraman competed in Congressional Debate and freshman Ava Moravek in Poetry. And, seniors Adam Julian, Lauren Karg and Miles Stoops assisted as judges.

Sophomore Aubree Machi also participated in the event. For more information, call (724) 625-1581.

 

2022-2023

2023 PHSSL State Competition

Mars Area High School seniors Cole Winstead and Avery Beller and junior Lauren Karg placed in the 2023 PHSSL State Championships.Three members of Mars Area High School Speech & Debate Team placed at the 2023 Pennsylvania High School Speech League (PHSSL) State Competition, held March 17-18 at Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania.

Seniors Avery Beller and Cole Winstead took fourth place in the News Broadcasting category. Junior Lauren Karg received seventh place in the Prose category.

For more information, visit https://www.phssl.org/states/.

Mars Area High School Speech & Debate Pre-Qualifier Invitational 

Several members of the Mars Area High School Speech & Debate competed in a Pre-Qualifier Invitational, hosted by the school on Feb. 18.

Junior Adam Julian earned first place in Impromptu Speaking. Other participating students included juniors Declan Abbey, Vivek Dadi and Miles Stoops in Impromptu Speaking; freshmen Samantha Knieriem, Isabel Radens and Julian Coquelet in Congressional Debate; and freshman Grace McMichael in Poetry

Also of note, senior Cole Winstead and juniors Lauren Karg and Isabela Montes facilitated the tournament. For more information, call (724) 625-1581.

Hampton Talbot Speech & Debate Tournament

Lauren KargMars Area High School junior Lauren Karg competed in the Hampton Talbot Speech & Debate Tournament, held Feb. 4.

Karg earned first place in the Prose event and qualified for the 2023 Pennsylvania High School Speech League State Competition, to be held March 17-18.

 The qualifying tournament brought together 231 individual competitors representing 20 schools. For more information, call (724) 625-1581.


North Catholic Speech & Debate Invitational

Mars Area High School students Julian Coquelet, Isabel Radens, Samantha Knieriem, Avery Beller, Cole Winstead, Miles Stoops, Adam Julian and (not pictured) Kira Frederick competed in the North Catholic Speech & Debate Invitational.Several members of Mars Area High School’s Speech & Debate Team competed in the North Catholic Speech & Debate Invitational, held Dec. 10.

Senior Cole Winstead earned second place and senior Avery Beller took third place in their respective chambers of congressional debate. Freshmen Julian Coquelet, Samantha Knieriem and Isabel Radens also competed in congressional debate events.

Sophomore Kira Frederick received third place in the informative speech event. And, juniors Adam Julian and Miles Stoops competed in impromptu speech.

The tournament welcomed 253 students from 27 schools to compete in 15 different events. For more information, call (724) 625-1581.