Salem City Council honored the recently crowned VHSL State Champion Forensics Team at Council Chambers on Monday night. Each member of the team was given a copy of Resolution 1449 and a State Championship pin. Here is the resolution that passed unanimously.
IN THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SALEM, VIRGINIA, April 24, 2023:
RESOLUTION 1449
Resolution Honoring 2023 Salem High School Forensics State Champions
WHEREAS, with a great deal of pride and enthusiasm the City of Salem champions the development of its young people by providing an array of opportunities in both the academic and competition arenas; and
WHEREAS, throughout the years, our youth have excelled in both areas, bringing numerous accolades to the city and school division; and
WHEREAS, Head Coach Mark Ingerson led another formidable forensics competition team at Salem High School to its 17th consecutive state championship, extending its VHSL record for consecutive forensics team championships in March of 2023; and
WHEREAS, this championship also tied the program with Christiansburg High School wrestling for the most consecutive team championships in VHSL history; and
WHEREAS, the team’s 29-18 victory over second place Grafton High School was bolstered by nine students who placed in the top three, accounting for five state championships in the ten events; and
WHERAS, the team was led by senior captain Ben Hathaway who along with his partner Kyra Netting finished as the runners-up in Humorous Duo, senior assistant captain, Ryan Long who won the state championship in Original Oratory, and senior assistant captain Courtney Bowen who won the state championship in Prose; and
WHEREAS, senior Emma Snead won an individual state championship in Impromptu Speaking; and
WHEREAS, the junior duo of Grasyn Mitchell and Kade Lakin won the state championship in Serious Duo, this was Kade’s second state championship; and
WHEREAS, sophomore Connor Smythers won an individual state championship in Humorous Interpretation. This is Conner’s second individual state title after winning last year in Children’s Storytelling; and
WHEREAS, sophomore Colton Easter added to the team’s total by placing third in Prose; and
WHEREAS, junior Lebron Parsell, sophomore Hall Blackwood and 9th graders Zac Hathaway, Tessa Yerton, Lacey Stratton, Dresden Strouth, and Quinn Roudebush supported the team by competing in the state tournament in Extemporaneous Speaking, Dramatic Interpretation, Humorous Duo, and Storytelling respectively; and
WHEREAS, freshman Caitlin Abi-Saab and sophomore Charles Bain supported the team throughout the year and competed in the Regional Championships; and
WHEREAS, sophomore Rebekah Steinweg and junior Zane Easter supported the team throughout the year and competed in Regional and Super Regional Championships; and
WHEREAS, sophomore Kaeyln Henzey provided support to the team throughout the season in her role as team manager; and
WHEREAS, the Salem High School Forensics Team has brought recognition, honor, and pride to Salem High School and the City of Salem; and
WHEREAS, the City of Salem Council members believe that strong extracurricular activities are an integral part of the City’s educational program; and
WHEREAS, the City of Salem hereby expresses congratulations and appreciation to Mark Ingerson and the members of the Salem High School Forensics Team for their accomplishments; and
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SALEM, VIRGINIA, that Council joins with the citizens of the City of Salem in saluting the great achievements of the Salem High School Forensics Team in winning the 2023 STATE FORENSICS TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be presented to the coaches and each team member and that a copy be placed on display at Salem High School.
Salem City Council:
Hunter Holliday
Bill Jones
Randy Foley
Jim Wallace
Renée Ferris Turk