Lincoln Academy’s 2026 State Champion Team in Speech. From left: Ava Ward, Lily Christopher, Ori Taylor, and Ayesha Giberson.
The Lincoln Academy Speech and Debate team won the Class B State Championship in Speech on Saturday, January 24 at the Speech and Debate Championships in Skowhegan. The team was led by junior Ori Taylor, who won the individual State Championship in Original Oratory and placed 2nd in Extemporaneous Speaking. These results mean Taylor has qualified for the NCFL Nationals in Washington, D.C. over Memorial Day weekend. In the Debate category, Ava Ward placed 5th in Lincoln Douglas Novice Debate.
The previous Saturday, the LA Congressional Debate team competed at the Maine State House in Augusta. For the State Championships, Congressional Debate was held separately from the other events so the students competing in Congressional Debate would have the chance to debate in the actual Senate and House chambers.
At the Congressional Debate championships, LA senior Julia Deitrick placed fifth in Congressional Senate Debate. Julia was also awarded the Maine Forensic Association Congressional Scholarship, given to one outstanding graduating senior in Congressional debate. LA sophomore Lily Christopher placed fifth in Congressional House Debate.
The State Championships mark the end of the regular season for Maine Speech and Debate. Ori Taylor will travel to Nationals in May.
Below: members of the LA Debate Team in the Maine State House
