Strong Showing for Forks Speech and Debate in Vancouver Competition

November 20, 2025 1:30 am
Submitted photo Front L to R: Alina Horjesi, Jlynn Vessey, Ms. Tasheena Erickson; Middle Row L to R: Patricia Calderon-Weed, Lyndon Unger, Zoey Beutler; Back row L to R: Trentston Pope, Trent Prose.
Submitted photo Front L to R: Alina Horjesi, Jlynn Vessey, Ms. Tasheena Erickson; Middle Row L to R: Patricia Calderon-Weed, Lyndon Unger, Zoey Beutler; Back row L to R: Trentston Pope, Trent Prose.

The Forks High School Speech and Debate team just returned from a successful weekend at Evergreen High School in Vancouver, where they competed in their second tournament of the season. Thirteen teams from Washington and Oregon took part, with 108 competitors overall.

FHS students earned several top placements:

Alina Horjesi — 1st place, Original Spoken Word Poetry

Trent Prose — 2nd place, Humorous Interpretation

Zoey Beutler — 3rd place, Humorous Interpretation

Patricia Calderon — 3rd place, Lincoln-Douglas Debate

Jlynn Vessey — 2nd place, Original Spoken Word Poetry, and 3rd place, Informative

Trentston Pope — competed in Impromptu

Lyndon Unger — competed in both debate and speech events

FHS Debate Coach and English Language Arts teacher Tasheena Erickson praised the competitors and their hard work throughout the season.

“I am extremely proud of the efforts these students have put into making this team a success!” Erickson said.

She also thanked the school and community for their support and said she looks forward to seeing continued growth and achievement from the team as the season progresses.