Three Atlantic Speech Team members attended the Dragon Invitational at Johnston High School on Dec. 4-5, and all three advanced to finals.

The Trojans went against Dowling Catholic, Des Moines East, Des Moines Roosevelt, Des Moines Lincoln, Des Moines North, and Cedar Rapids Kennedy.

Students Rebekah Hallman, Max Elwood and Sarah Schorle competed, and all the students placed in the final round of Poetry. Elwood then won first place, Hallman won third, and Schorle won fifth.

Elwood also advanced into Finals for Humorous Interpretation and received sixth place.

“We are attending another tournament at Des Moines Lincoln on December 18,” said Trisha Niceswanger, who coaches speech with Alex Bales. “There are possibilities of other events in the Spring, but for now we are focusing on IHSSA Speech competitions,” she said.

“I think [the Dragon Tournament] was a great experience overall. I enjoyed judging various categories. Our students built their skills by performing their pieces four times, adjusting and improving each time.”