Jackson, Cape Girardeau Central high school students advance to state speech, debate and drama tournament

About 130 high school students demonstrated their performance skills in the district speech, debate and drama tournament March 6 and Saturday. About 20 schools, including Jackson, Cape Girardeau and Scott City, competed last weekend at Southeast Missouri State University. Students participated in several group and individual events. State qualifiers will compete in Columbia, Mo., in April.

Thirteen Jackson students will continue to the next round of competition with their production of "The Seussification of Romeo and Juliet."

Other state qualifiers:

Jackson

Lydia Meece, poetry reading; Lydia Meece and Michael Graefe, duet acting; Bethany Elfrink, humorous interpretation; Gabe Eggers and Jessica Stearns, Lincoln-Douglas debate

ELIZABETH DODD ~ edodd@semissourian.comCape Central's Hannah Seesing, junior, right, and Caitlin Cannon, senior, prepare for a debate on the topic of whether or not the federal government should increase alternative energy incentives in the United States at the speech and debate tournament Friday at Southeast Missouri State.

Cape Girardeau

Kate Cavey and Lizzie Nussbaum, public forum debate; Kate Cavey, radio speaking; Lessley Dennington, prose reading; Tyler Camp, extemporaneous speaking; Quitman McBride III, storytelling; Veda Riley, original oratory.