The GCHS Forensics Team competed at the Kentucky High School Speech League State Tournament this past weekend.

The tournament, held at the University of Kentucky, hosted a total of 37 Kentucky schools and 413 students. With 740 entries, the tournament consisted of two days of competitive rounds.

After performing in three consecutive rounds on Friday, Graves County freshman Naima Bhutta advanced to quarter finals in Declamation, an event in which the student performs a speech written and published by someone else.

With her speech “10 Ways to Have a Better Conversation,” Bhutta advanced to semi-finals on Saturday. While Bhutta did not advance to finals, this places her as a top 12 performer in the state of Kentucky.

“It was a thrilling experience,” Bhutta said, “especially since I’m a freshman. Hopefully next year I will be one of the top 6 in dec.”

KHSSL State competitors from GCHS include:

Devante Alexander: Duo Interp, Duo Improv

Michael Black: Duo Improv, Impromptu, Poetry

Naima Bhutta: Declamation, Prose

Carrie Cavitt: Declamation, Duo Interp, Duo Improv

Hattie Dunn: Duo Interpretation, Duo Improv, Prose

Zacharie Lam: Duo Improv, Extemporaneous Speaking, Poetry

Carrie Riley: Duo Interp, Duo Improv, Prose