![Polson Speech and Debate's Kai McDonald (shown here with team mascot Butterfingers) won first at the National Speech and Debate Association District Qualifier in Missoula, making him the first-ever student from the Polson School District to qualify for the national competition.](https://hagadone.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/img/photos/2023/02/28/Kai_Nat_Qualifier_t1170.jpg?5cc718665ab672dba93d511ab4c682bb370e5f86)
Polson Speech and Debate's Kai McDonald (shown here with team mascot Butterfingers) won first at the National Speech and Debate Association District Qualifier in Missoula, making him the first-ever student from the Polson School District to qualify for the national competition.
February 28, 2023
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![Small but Mighty: Polson sends student to National Speech and Debate Finals](
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March 16, 2023 midnight
Small but Mighty: Polson sends student to National Speech and Debate Finals
Polson Speech and Debate coach Melesa Butler was in the tabulation room at Sentinel High in Missoula when she heard the news. “I just broke down crying,” she said. The tears weren’t precipitated by sorrow. Instead, they were the happy kind, flowing because Kai McDonald had just claimed first place in Humorous Interpretation.