Speech Team Celebrates Historic Regional Win
For the first time in its nearly 60-year history, the LaRue County Middle School (LCMS) Speech Team claimed the prestigious Regional Championship Title in the Kentucky High School Speech League (KHSSL).
This historic victory marks a significant milestone for the program, which has long been a formidable presence in speech and debate competitions across the state.
The LCMS Speech Team has been a member of KHSSL for over 45 years, consistently producing top-tier individual and team performances. The program has seen individual state champions and numerous team awards, including top-three placements at regionals, top-ten finishes at state, and multiple School of Distinction honors. However, this is the first time the middle school team has emerged as the regional champion.
“This means that our team of students placed first out of all the other middle school teams competing in our region,” explained head coach Katy Cecil. “It’s a testament to the dedication, passion, and hard work of our students and coaching staff.”
The LaRue County Speech Program was founded in 1966 by Cecil’s father Garland Blair and has thrived under the leadership of six coaches over the decades. Blair led both the middle and high school teams for 25 years before retiring.
Since then, the program has continued to grow under the guidance of committed coaches like Randy Stephens, Kimberly Mather, Greg Bowen, Helena Freedlund, and now Katy Cecil, who has been involved with the team for 24 years.
“In my time at LCMS and LCHS, we’ve coached hundreds of students, won 16 state championships, two national titles, and earned multiple state and national accolades,” Cecil said. “The program has also produced dozens of students who have achieved Premier Distinction in the National Speech and Debate Honor Society and been recognized as Academic All Americans.”
Beyond competition, the speech program at LCMS serves as a powerful training ground for future success. Speech and debate equip students with skills from the Learner Profile: critical thinking skills, public speaking confidence, and the ability to analyze and articulate complex ideas in a short time.
It also brings students from across the state together in a collaborative and competitive environment.
“Speech exposes students to diverse perspectives and teaches them inclusiveness and tolerance,” Cecil explained. “They learn how to research effectively, think critically, and collaborate with others. These are skills that serve them well beyond their school years, preparing them for leadership roles, professional success, and civic engagement.”
The team’s success is bolstered by a dedicated coaching staff, including Eric Cecil, who has worked alongside his wife for 24 years, and Kate McCubbin, who has focused on the middle school program for the past two years. Hillary Copley recently joined as a volunteer coach, but Cecil noted that she has plans for Copley to join the staff next school year.
With this historic regional championship win, the LCMS Speech Team is setting its sights on the State Speech Championships, where they will compete against the best teams from across Kentucky in late February and early March.
“This victory is a major step forward for our program,” Cecil said. “It’s proof that hard work and perseverance pay off. I couldn’t be prouder of our students and coaches.”
As the team continues to build on its legacy, one thing is certain: the LaRue County Middle School Speech Team is a force to be reckoned with, and its future is brighter than ever.