![LHWHS Talking Rams District Champs]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1741835382/ladueschoolsnet/rebt9y3ccgcfkv5vgpzk/LHWHSTalkingRamsDistrictChamps.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1741835382/ladueschoolsnet/rebt9y3ccgcfkv5vgpzk/LHWHSTalkingRamsDistrictChamps.png","width":512}])
Talking Rams Triumph at District Tournament, Advance to State
The Talking Rams, Ladue Horton Watkins High School’s (LHWHS) accomplished speech and debate team, achieved a remarkable victory at the 2025 Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) Class 2 District 1 Tournament, claiming first place in the debate sweepstakes. The impressive achievement earned 14 students a spot in the state tournament.
The state-qualifying competition, held at LHWHS, highlighted the skill and determination of the Talking Rams under the guidance of their sponsor, Molly Beck. The team excelled across multiple categories, earning two district champion titles.
Here’s a closer look at the team’s impressive results:
Lincoln-Douglas Debate
- Addie Flintrop – 1st place & District Champion
- Liam Shoghi – Semifinalist
- Sahil Chatwal – Quarterfinalist
Policy Debate
- Shang Jiang & Franklyn Yang – Semifinalists
- Sophie Hughes & Nina Ye – Quarterfinalists
Public Forum Debate
- Elliot Broadbent & Zoe Mei – 1st place & District Champions
- Eric Fan & Bohan Pan – Semifinalists
- Urmil Patel & Felix Zhang – Semifinalists
Individual Speaking Events
- Dramatic Interpretation: Emery Mao – 2nd place
- Duo Interpretation: Eric Fan & Bohan Pan – 5th place
- International Extemporaneous Speaking: Sahil Chatwal – 2nd place
- Original Oratory: Sahil Chatwal – 5th place
- Radio Speaking: Urmil Patel – 8th place
In addition to these qualifiers, the following students also contributed to the Talking Rams' success by competing in various events:
- Anaya Goli – Prose Reading
- Sasha Prasad – Original Oratory & Poetry Reading
- Soumya Prasad – Informative Speaking & Original Oratory
- Elle Saleeby – International Extemporaneous Speaking
- David Smith – Informative Speaking
- Jessie Wang – Prose Reading
With 14 students set to compete in the state tournament, the Talking Rams are poised to continue their tradition of excellence. Congratulations to the entire team and their dedicated sponsor, Molly Beck, for their outstanding achievements, and best of luck at the 72nd Annual MSHSAA Speech, Debate and Theatre Championships in April!