Montana high school speakers are a source of inspiration

I was lucky enough to be a judge Saturday at the state Class A Speech, Debate and Drama championships held at Havre High School.

That's because my colleague Tim Leeds, also the assistant debate HHS debate coach, invited anyone he knew, ran into on the street or had the email address of to show up for the tournament. It takes quite a number of volunteer judges to put on the event.

Those who turned down the offer to be a judge missed an opportunity for a lot of inspiration.

These were the state finals, so my fellow judges and I were listening to the best Montana has to offer. Even those whom I c...