Glacier speech earns national recognition

Glacier High Speech and Debate was the only program in Montana to earn the 2014-15 Leading Chapter Award from a national association.

This makes the Glacier team one of 110 nationwide — out of 3,000 member schools — to achieve the award based on student participation for “the highest recognition the National Speech and Debate Association can bestow upon a chapter,” according to a letter from the association.

The team is led by Head Coach Greg Adkins who credited the team’s success to assistant coaches Ivanna Fritz, Josh Munro, Sara Menssen, Chris Adamcyk, Seaghan Herron, Jenna Mickens and Abby Connolly and longtime coaches Ryan Motley, Sara Motley and Marcy Maroney.

Adkins himself is also set to receive a top honor. He will be inducted in the Montana High School Association/Montana Forensic Educator Association Coaches Hall of Fame in March.

Adkins has coached the Wolfpack since Glacier High School opened in 2007.

After placing seventh at state in that inaugural year, the team has since racked up four consecutive state titles, one runner-up and three third-place finishes.

Adkins tallied up 985 students who have been members of the speech and debate team. Since 2007, there have been 59 national qualifiers — the most in the state during that period of time according to Adkins. Glacier is hoping to add to that number this weekend at the Montana District Tournament in Bozeman where the team will be recognized as a Leading Chapter.

“Glacier High is very special place, and the Wolfpack Speech and Debate team is an important part of the school and community culture,”Adkins said. “I am very proud of everyone involved in this team, especially all of the current and former students. This is an award that recognized our first decade of excellence. I am humbled and proud.”