Plymouth High School Speech Team captures State Championship, brings home Lawson Trophy

Friday, March 20, 2026 at 1:00 AM

By Kathy Bottorff

If residents heard sirens and saw fire trucks rolling down Michigan Street on Saturday night, it wasn't for an emergency—it was a victory lap. The Plymouth High School Speech Team received a hero's welcome after capturing the state championship just hours earlier.

Competing at Penn High School on Saturday, the PHS Speech Team delivered a dominant performance to be crowned the Class AA State Champions. In addition to their class victory, the team also secured the overall state championship, bringing home the prestigious Lawson Trophy.

Following the awards ceremony, the team made the journey back to Plymouth, where they were met by the Plymouth Fire Department for a celebratory escort through the city to honor their achievement.

Last weekend's victory adds another impressive chapter to the program's storied history. The win marks the 15th Class AA tournament championship for Plymouth High School, and the 10th time the school has won the overall state title to claim the Lawson Trophy.

Congratulations to the Plymouth High School Speech Team on their historic state championship season.

Here's how our individual students placed at the tournament:

Waylon Pits 1st in POI

Diana Cazares. 1st in Prose.

Kylin Kain 2nd in Original Oratory and 3rd in POI

Megan Celadina. 2nd in Humor

Rylan James and Charlie Brewer. 3rd in Duo

Lilliana Metz and Teal Fritz. 3rd in OP Duo

Ray Ye 4th in Poetry

Nathan King 5th in Declamation

Cora Hanes 6th in Informative

Teal Fritz 6th in POI

Alli Stiger and Brandon Woods. 6th in Duo

Other team members who scored points for being in the quarter or semifinals were: Olivia Burch, Audriana Flores, Hayli Sullivan, Marcy Sickmiller, Christian Martinez, Katelyn Golba, Brylie Workman, Landon Cooper, Lance Weldon, and Marley Stoneburner. The team now takes some time off until June when 13 speakers. will compete at the NSDA National Tournament in Richmond Virginia.