MonticelloLive

Front row:  Anna Blace Barron, Nina Greenway, Kelsea Jackson
Back Row:  Andrew Cortines, Michael Skinner, and Maxwell Sawyer. 

Monticello High School Senior, Maxwell E. Sawyer, was elected to serve as the Speaker of House I of The Arkansas Delegation of Student Congress that convened on November 4-6 in Little Rock.  Sawyer was one of 6 delegates from MHS.  He earned enough points to earn the National Forensics League (NFL) Degree of Excellence.  “Max, the second MHS student to serve as House Speaker in the last 5 years, provided superior legislative guidance while representing Monticello.  His speaking skills earned superior rankings in Legislative Committee, Parliamentary Procedure, and Democratic Caucus,” said Monticello Forensics Coach, Debbie Ashcraft.   
 
Tiffany Stringfellow was scheduled to attend as a returning delegate, but due to illness she did not attend; however, her legislative bill to initiate a tax holiday in August earned recognition as the 1st Place, Best Bill in House II.  Bills are blindly and rigorously judged on various elements, and her achievement is significant. 
 
Other outstanding accomplishments were as follows: Anna Blace Barron earned a Best of Delegation Award, Superior for Floor Debate, and enough NFL points to advance to a Degree of Honor; Andrew Cortines earned Excellent in Democratic Caucus; and Nina Greenway earned Superior in Legislative Committee. Michael Skinner and Kelsea Jackson were first year delegates who contributed to the team standing. 
 
High Schools that attended the Arkansas Student Congress:  Little Rock Parkview Arts & Magnet, Little Rock Central, North Little Rock – West, North Little Rock – East, Cabot High School, Fort Smith Southside, Bentonville High School, Bauxite High School, Huntsville High School, Episcopal Collegiate, Russellville High School, Rogers High School, and Springdale High School. 
 
Arkansas Student Congress is sponsored each year by the Arkansas State Communication Association, a professional association for teachers of communication arts and theater arts.  High schools and colleges compete in bill writing, legislative committee, party caucus, parliamentary procedure, and legislative debate.