MVHS Student Attends Debate Nationals

By Whitney Donohue
Moapa Valley Progress

Local youth, Tucker Abbott, has spent the summer honing his speech and debate skills. In June Abbott traveled to Kansas City, MO with his coach, Jared Bushman, for the NFL of Debate Tournaments—that is, the National Forensics League Nationals Tournament. Abbott spent a week at the tournament, competing in Congressional Debate.

To qualify for the national tournament, Abbott had to rank in the top of his event at an NFL District tournament held at the end of the 2009-2010 school year. Abbott was the only student from Moapa Valley High School to attend the NFL.

Although Abbott was eliminated in the second day of competition, he was able to participate in supplemental events. “The best part of the trip was watching the finalists compete,” Abbott said. “I think the worst was finding out I didn’t make it to the semi-final round, but that wasn’t even that bad.”

“My roommate [Trevor Griffin from Virgin Valley High School] placed sixth in the nation,” Abbott continued. “I did a lot of sight-seeing, and we went to the basketball museum.”

Traveling to the NFL only whetted Abbott’s appetite for more forensics. He recently returned from a two week forensics camp held at Dixie State College in St. George, Utah.

Along with Abbott, several other MVHS students attended the Sun Country Forensics Institute camp, including John Rockenbach, Jacob Allum, Calvin McMurray, Ricky Glaubitz, and Kenna McMurray.

Allum, Abbott, Kenna, and Calvin competed in the Lincoln-Douglas event, while Glaubitz and Rockenbach competed in Public Forum. Abbott placed 3rd in his event, while Glaubitz and Rockenbach placed first, earning a $500 scholarship.
Moapa Valley High School has a rich forensics tradition. Last year, former MVHS student David Peña, along with fellow UNR classmate Max Alderman, won the collegiate national debate championships. Peña was also named Top Scholar in the tournament. Peña credits his success to his high school debate coach, Harold Tusler.