What Is Speech and Debate? 

Joining the speech and debate team provides students with an amazing opportunity to challenge themselves academically, achieve personal growth, and improve their critical thinking, argumentative, and communications skills. You probably know of many highly successful individuals who participated in their high school speech and debate teams from Oprah Winfrey and Adam Sandler to Bill Clinton, Bill Gates, and Margaret Thatcher. While participation on the team no way guarantees such amazing success, it is our hope that this team can give students the resources to do whatever it is they desire. To do this, however, we set high standards, expect dedication, and require excellence. It is our opinion that no member of the team who works hard and applies him or herself should not do well and achieve his or her own goals.  

2020-2021 State Finalists: (Left to right) Anna Wallace, Hannah Ihrig, Alex Miller, Isaac Machar, Elaina McNeely, Sam Zulia (Coach) 

How Do I Join? 

Audtions for the speech and debate team are held at the beginning of each school year.  If you missed the audition date and are still interested in joining, we encourage you to contact a coach directly for information on how to get started. Want us to contact you? Click the link below and complete the form and a coach will contact you directly.  The team is open to all Wadsworth City School students of all grades at the High School. Students can join any time during the season. 


Don't know which event is right for you? 

Let us help! 

Ready to join the team? Use this packet to help prepare. 

Keep up with the most current team information. Join our Remind!  

It only takes a few simple steps!  

Step 1: Start a new text message.  |  Step 2: Enter this number: 81010  |  Step 3: Text this message: @whssd2  |  Step 4: Send the message.