Nine Waupaca High School students competed in the National Catholic Forensic and Debate Tournament in May in Chicago.
Four competed in the Public Forum debate. They were the debate teams of freshmen Emalee Myer and Dakota Marlega and juniors Kelsie Wolfgram and Amanda Durfee.
The duo interpretation teams of Nick Jungers and Ryan Weise and Tom Phillipsen and Jason Cardinal competed.
Cole Pankratz qualified in Student Congress.
Ron Steinhorst, head forensics coach at WHS, said the debate students had five rounds of competition, and the duo interpretation students had four rounds.
Those who qualified in Student Congress advanced legislation they wrote ahead of time.
In all, about 2,600 students competed, Steinhorst said.
He said the National Catholic Forensic League originated on the East Coast and continually expanded.
“It’s a very tough competition to get there,” he said.
Last year, eight WHS students went to the national competition.
“It’s just such an experience in not only meeting other students but the other levels of competition,” Steinhorst said. “The whole thing is a growing experience.”