Coach Michael Yeakey elected to state council

Michael Yeakey, speech and debate coach at Bethany Christian Schools, has been elected to the executive council of the Indiana High School Forensics Association for a three-year term. Yeakey also serves on the sectional committee of the state speech association and as the district committee of the Northwest Indiana District of the National Forensic League.

Yeakey, who has coached debate and speech in previous teaching assignments, has established a successful program at Bethany in just its first year, with four students advancing to the state competition that was held March 20. Yeakey, who has a passion for helping students develop public speaking skills, says, “Debate offers students a chance to bring critical thinking skills to bear on real-life issues. The ideas that are considered require research, composition (of speeches), and a grasp of the issues being debated. Speech events give students the opportunity to hone a plethora of speaking skills.”