The 2011 Wrangell Wolves DDF team. Seated, from left: Annie Prysunka, Erin Ellis, Coach Mike Symons, Korovin Ellis and Haley Reed. Standing, from left: Molly Prysunka, Tyler Eagle, Matt Covalt, Malachi Cole, Brendon Sample and Joel Cole. Not pictured are Victoria Ingraham, Kristin Galla, Michael Guggenbickler, Xavier Shepler and Ben Florschutz.
For the first time in nearly a decade Wrangell High School will host a Drama, Debate and Forensics tournament featuring schools from across Southeast Alaska on Nov. 11-12.
Teams from Ketchikan, Petersburg, Sitka, Mt. Edgecumbe, Juneau-Douglas, Thunder Mountain and Haines high schools are scheduled to attend.
DDF head coach Mike Symons said the tournament is a chance for the Wolves to shine in a number of competitive categories – and to show Southeast Alaska what Wrangell has to offer in the way of teaching effective communication, ethical individualism, critical thinking and leadership in a democratic society.
“This is one of the most important activities that any schools have,” Symons said. “Over the years I have worked with a lot of students and seen how it helps them develop confidence and to be able to communicate more effectively.”
According to Symons, the DDF program also teaches logic and critical thinking to students who take part.
“It also help students learn how to organize thoughts and present them,” Symons added. “You can see the progress their abilities make over the years. It’s a process where they continually develop their skills.”
Among the many categories students take part in are debate, extemporaneous speaking, dramatic interpretation, pantomime and reader’s theater.
Korovin Ellis, a DDF competitor and Wrangell senior, said he appreciates the camaraderie and knowledge he gains from the meets the team takes part in.
“The tournaments are my favorite part,” Ellis said. “I meet a lot of interesting people and it helps my self-confidence when I do my acting well.”
The Wolves team excelled at their most recent meet in Sitka at Mt. Edgecumbe High School on Oct. 14-15.
The reader’s theater team for Wrangell of Anne Prysunka, Molly Prysunka, Haley Reed and Kristin Galla took 2nd place in the first round of competition and finished in the top spot during the 2nd round before taking a No. 4 overall finish in the finals.
“They competed against other, bigger schools in the two rounds and finals,” Symons added. “It’s a big deal for them to come away with their finish.”
Anne Prysunka, who is also a senior and takes part in expository speaking and duo/solo interpretation, said she took a lot away from the meet.
“It’s the experiences I like the most,” Prysunka said. “You get to meet old friends from different town as well as meet new people.”
With a topic of “Social Networking Hinders the Human Condition,” the Wolves debate team of Matthew Eagle and Tyler Covalt walked away with a pair of victories in the event. The pair ended the debate with a 2-4 loss – but Symons said they enjoyed the verbal parrying in the event.
“They did very well in the debate,” Symons said. “They had just a little bit of time to prepare for the subject, so they did quite well on that topic.”
Malachi Cole and Ben Florschutz also took part in the debate.
With a 5th place finish in extemporaneous communication and a speech about quotes from former Apple CEO Steve Jobs, junior Haley Reed completed the meet as the highest individually placing team member for Wrangell.
“I don’t remember what my specific quotes were, but they were about his creativity,” Reed said.
Reed took 1st place in her initial rounds before taking the No. 5 spot in the evening finals on Saturday, Oct. 15.
Symons said he is still looking for volunteer judges for the tournament.
“I’m still seeking some judges for meet here in Wrangell,” Symons said. “Having that community support is something we really need.”
The public is invited to attend the Nov. 11-12 tournament at Wrangell High School.
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