Coming off a breakout season, West Plains High School speech and debate coach Lane Schilmoeller isn't dwelling on past accomplishments. He is focused on building momentum.
After doubling its roster last year, advancing then-sophomore competitor Lilly Brown to the state tournament and earning Schilmoeller district coach of the year honors, the Zizzer program enters the fall with 25 students on the official roster. Schilmoeller expects that number to top 30 as the school year progresses.
“We're going to continue the growth that we started last year,” Schilmoeller said. “We just want to keep doing what we're doing and push a little further.”
The Zizzers plan to compete in 14 regular-season tournaments — seven each semester — before turning their attention to Missouri State High School Activities Association and National Speech & Debate Association district competitions in the spring.
While the program has historically leaned heavily on individual speech events, Schilmoeller is pushing to expand debate and humorous interpretation entries to build a more balanced competitive squad.
“We want to get fired up and get more people in debate because that's a lot of points as a team,” he said, adding with a laugh, “It's speech and debate, so we want to grow that other side so we're evened out a little bit.”
Individual events remain a core strength, however, thanks in large part to the experience the returning competitors have accumulated.
Individual events remain a core strength, led by Brown, now a junior, who is eager for another postseason run.
“I would expect to see Lilly Brown come back with a lot of fire and wanting to do better at state,” he said.
He also expects big things from three second-year team members serving on the student cabinet, along with promising newcomers like sophomores Roman Waddell (debate and Congress) and Cara Vargas (humorous interpretation).
Beyond trophies and sweepstakes points, Schilmoeller emphasizes confidence, critical thinking and camaraderie as the primary benefits of the program. During summer camp, returning team members pointed to the program's tight-knit family culture as its greatest asset.
To help novice members overcome stage fright, the team uses summer improv exercises and peer mentoring before stepping in front of tournament judges.
“You've got to go in there confident, so we do a lot of boosting each other up before we go to tournaments, Schilmoeller said. “In general, the biggest benefit outside of just competing is the confidence, and knowing that you can make an impact.”
Reflecting on his district coach of the year recognition, Schilmoeller said the honor from his peers was unexpected, but his focus remains squarely on his students' development.
“I was completely speechless,” he said, noting the irony for a speech coach to struggle to find words. “I've already hit a personal pinnacle I didn't even know I had. Now it's just about continuing to watch them grow and do well.”
Editor's note: The caption for the team photo was updated at 10:32 a.m. Sept. 9 to correct the grade levels of students Autumn Brown and Emilee Ciley.
