Meet Lake Minnetonka's Newest State Champion

Mound Westonka High School senior Ella Taggart was named the Discussion State Champion at the AA State Speech competition in Chanhassen April 21.

She is the first State Champion in the MWHS speech team's history. Teammate Zack McDowell, a junior, also did well earning a sixth-place finish in extemporaneous reading. 

This was Taggart’s second state appearance, after placing 5th in discussion last year. According to Coach Anitra Trapp, Ella has worked hard in discussion during her time at MWHS.

McDowell, a three-year member of the team, made his first appearance this year at the state tournament. 

“The MWHS speech program has been alive for 10 years," coach Trapp said. "This is our fifth year at State, second year bringing home medalists and first State Champion. We are very proud and excited!” 

Taggart competed against 24 students in the discussion category. The average number at most tournaments is 25-30 in discussion. Three from each speech category in each section (eight sections total) across the state advance to State. The Sections can be quite large. Section 6AA had 30 competitors this year, and Taggart was No. 1.

The other schools that had students advance to state were Blaine, Princeton, Benilde-St. Margaret's, Lakeville North, St. Cloud Tech, Eastview, Apple Valley, Winona, Marshall, Mounds View, Duluth East, Bemidji, Shakopee, Osseo, Woodbury, Northfield, Mankato West, Cambridge-Isanti, and Sauk Rapids-Rice.

Information provided by the Westonka School District