Mackenzie was a PHS graduate in  2022. She is currently a phlebotomist who recently graduated TCAT. The Speech team helped her conquer her fear of speaking in front of others. There are days she still struggles with it! Mackenzie was a part of the speech team for 3 years and made some great friends and memories along the way. One of her best memories was when she placed third in the state overall for set design. Her second one is being able to go to Boston and compete at Harvard. Mackenzie became the president in the spring of 2022. She competed in poetry, prose, POI, duo improv, duo Interp, and declamation. Mackenzie carries the lessons and skills she gathered and applies them to her everyday life.Mackenzie wishes she could still be in high school ONLY to still see Mrs.Starnes everyday and help other team members.

Mickaela was a PHS class of 2022 graduate. She is attending Middle Tennessee State University where she is pursuing a major in journalism and a minor in communications. The PHS Speech Team introduced Mickaela to multiple opportunities during her three years as a member. She remembers traveling for tournaments and the great memories made whilst bonding with her team members. She was the reporter and secretary during her time on the team and competed in Poetry, Duo Interpretation, Duo Improv, Informative Speaking, and TV Broadcasting.

 Mickaela carries the lessons she gathered in communication with her as she moves into her role at MTSU. Mickaela’s greatest accomplishments with the team include placing 2nd in the district in TV Broadcasting and 3rd at state in the same category, placing first with her team in Group Interp at districts, as well as all of the friendships and memories she made along the way.

Avery was a PHS Class of 2021 Graduate. She is now attending the University of South Carolina where she is majoring in Psychology. As a member of the Speech Team, Avery became more confident in her public speaking abilities and learned important communication skills she now uses as a McNair Scholar. Avery was a member of the team for one year, and she competed in Informative and Original Oratory speaking. 

Her favorite memories include competition days at PHS with her team members. 

Some of Avery’s biggest accomplishments with the team include placing first in Informative speaking at districts and qualifying as a first alternate in Informative speaking to compete at Nationals. 

Addison was a PHS Class of 2020 graduate. She now attends Tennessee Tech University, where she is a double major in marketing and human resources management. Through being a part of the PHS Speech Team, Addison learned communication and leadership skills, which she now puts to use as Tennessee Tech's Student Body President. Addison was a member of the speech team for two years. She served as the Speech Team Secretary and competed in Duo Interpretation, Duo Improv, Informative Speaking, and Prose. 

Her favorite speech team memories include Boston and completing at Harvard University, Wax Museums, and making breakfast runs for Mrs. Starnes. 

Some of Addison's greatest accomplishments with the Team include placing 3rd in Duo Interpretation at the University of Alabama; 1st in Duo Improv and 3rd in Informative. 

Emma Gregory was a PHS 2020 graduate. She spent two years studying at the University of Tennessee Knoxville, and now attends Middle Tennessee State University as a history major with minors in geography and secondary education. Emma was a member of the PHS Speech Team for two years and served as President her senior year. She competed in Duo Interpretation, Duo Improv, Prose, and Storytelling. Utilizing the knowledge and experience she gained from PHS Speech Team, Emma has attended multiple conferences allowing her to network with superintendents, teachers, etc. from different states, and various counties in Tennessee. 

 Her favorite speech team memories include traveling and competing in Boston, Sonic breakfast with Mrs. Starnes and Addison Dorris, blocking new Duo Interp pieces, and Wax Museums.

Some of Emma’s accomplishments with the team include placing 3rd in Duo Interpretation at the University of Alabama, 1st in Duo Improv, and an array of placements in Prose. 

Stanley was a graduate of PHS in 2020. He is currently and undergraduate at Vanderbilt University double majoring in public policy studies and economics with a minor in Chinese language and culture. 

He believes that has avid participation on the PHS speech team- including serving as Vice President his senior year- was a formative period of personal growth and reflection. Speech team instilled elements of mindedness that he believes is critical to achieving both personal and professional goals. 

Stanley competed primarily in informative speaking, original oratory, and prose. He is proud of being in a quarterfinalist at the 2020 Smoky Mountain Invitational and breaking into finals with O.O. at Soddy Daisy and Franklin-Simpson. Stanley is still fond of memories made on the speech team "retreat" in Gatlinburg and walking the sprawling cobblestone streets of the historic city of Boston. 

Kyleigh is a 2019 graduate of PHS. She was a member of the Speech Team for two years. Those two years were undoubtedly the best two years of her life. Speech helped her gain the confidence to speak in front of crowds and allowed her to be her true self. Throughout her speech career, she competed in events like Prose, Duo Interpretation, Duet Improv, Declamation and After Dinner Speaking. She graduated as the Treasurer of Speech Team. 

She has a ton of memories from Speech that she still looks back on to this day. Some of her favorites include her first trip to Gatlinburg when most of the team broke in multiple events and we could not believe it! She was also able to travel to Boston and compete at Harvard University, The University of Alabama, and Emory, to name a few. More of her best moments include car rides to tournaments and the downtime she had to connect with her team on trips. 

Some of Kyleigh’s greatest accomplishments include placing 6th in Duo at State and 1st at Districts. (Junior Year) 1st at Districts and State in ADS. (Senior Year) She also triple broke at the Carson Newman tournament in Gatlinburg her senior year. 

Jalen was a PHS Class of 2019 graduate. He now attends Middle Tennessee State University, where he is an Exercise Science Major. Being on the speech team taught Jalen how to communicate effectively, be a leader, and work with different personalities which he has put to use in his roles as NPHSC President, Phii Beta Sigma Vice President, and Intercultural and Diversity Affairs Assistant Coordinator at MTSU. Jalen was a speech member for two years. During his time on the speech team he served as Vice President and competed in Poetry, Duo Interpretation, Prose, Humorous Interpretation, Declamation and Duo Improvisation. 

His favorite memories include spending time with his teammates at out of town tournaments like Gatlinburg, Harvard, and Emory. 

Some of Jalen's greatest accomplishments include being. an NSDA All American, being awarded the Kathleen. Beach Heart Award, Securing his triple ruby, placing first in Poetry at the University of Alabama, being a State Champion in Poetry, being the first from Portland High School to go to the NSDA National Tournament, and being a top 50 nationally ranked speech and debate competitor his senior year. 

Bethanie is a PHS Class of 2018 graduate. In May 2022, she graduated Cum Laude from The University of Tennessee, Knoxville where she studied marketing and entrepreneurship. Throughout her time on PHS speech team, Bethanie met forever friends, created sweet memories, and traveled all over for competitions. A member of the team for 3 years, Bethanie served first, Vice President, then President. She competed in just about every event under the sun, but primarily focused on Duet Acting, Duo Interpretation, and Storytelling.

Her favorite speech team memories include traveling to Boston to compete at Harvard University, Forensics shows, and late night practice sessions in hotel rooms. 

Throughout her years competing, Bethanie had many great accomplishments. She obtained 500+ speaker points to earn the Double Ruby awarded each year by the National Speech and Debate Association.

Haley Cook is a Portland High School Alumni, class of 2017. She joined the speech class during her  Sophomore year and instantly knew she wanted to be on the team.  She was honored to be part of the Portland High School Speech Team during both her Junior and Senior year.  She was the Reporter for the Speech Team during my Senior year.

Her primary focus was poetry and prose, but her favorite piece was an ADS that she wrote about herself.  She placed 4th in the district competition with that piece.

She is very thankful for her time with the team and the experience received on the team.  She says it was the highlight of her High School years and it taught her so much that helped to prepare her for the “real World”.

Ashley is a 2017 graduate and just recently graduated from Nossi College of Art with a bachelor's in videography and film production.

Speech team brought out a confidence in me that has carried into my adulthood. Throughout college, I had to act in quite a bit of student projects and that felt so easy compared to being on stage in front of a whole school. It taught me how to take constructive criticism and apply it to be better rather than let it get me down. Speech team really is the #1 thing I miss the most from high school and gave me so many memories and useful skills for “the real world”

Some of Ashely's greatest accomplishments include breaking at her very first tournament, being the first double ruby in PHS history, holding the position of Speech Team President for two years, triple breaking at Gatlinburg, and having the lead roles in the one-act play. 

Ashely competed and placed in Duo Interpretation, Duet Acting, Improv, Prose, and Dramatic.

Some of her favorite memories include putting on the forensic shows and the organized chaos that went on backstage and in the green room. She also loved getting the jitters beforehand during the "I feel soo good" chant. 

Molly is a proud PHS Alumni from the class of 2016. After high school, she attended Middle Tennessee State University, earning a bachelors degree in Music Business. 

Molly joined the speech team in her senior year of high school. She competed in Dramatic Interpretation, Duo Interpretation and Duo Improv. Although she was only on the team for one season, she placed in the top 6 at many tournaments. 

Some of her favorite memories include traveling to Boston to compete at Harvard, putting on forensics shows and prom fashion shows, and all of the silliness and craziness that come with traveling with the team! However, her most favorite memory is receiving "the shoe" from Starnes at awards night. Molly says if she could go back, the one thing she would do differently is join sooner! 

Heather is a PHS class of 2016 graduate. She graduated from Tennessee Tech in 2020 with a BS in Marketing and a BS in Management with a dual concentration in General Management and Human Resources. Currently, she is a Talent Acquisition Sourcer for HCA Healthcare’s North Florida division of hospitals. Her years with the speech team taught her confidence and speaking skills that she uses in her day-to-day life. 

Heather competed and placed in Dou Interpretation and Dou Improv. Some of her favorite memories include trips to Gatlinburg, Harvard, and Emory University. She made lifelong friends through the speech team and countless unforgettable memories. 

Emily was a Portland High School Class of 2015 graduate. Emily graduated from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville in 2019 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. Emily has worked for PepsiCo for 3 years, where she's currently is a Key Account Manager in the Pepsi Beverages space supporting corporate partners in East TN and KY, residing in Knoxville, TN. Emily has utilized the communication, leadership, and relationship skills she learned from the Speech Team in her time as an undergrad at UT, as well as in her career. Emily learned not only how to be confident in her speaking, but how to be confident in herself personally and professionally. In addition, the Speech Team gave her an opportunity to be exposed to and build relationships with people she otherwise may not have had the opportunity to. This has helped Emily in navigating a career in sales and people leadership.

Emily was a member of the PHS Speech Team for 2 years. She competed in Dramatic Interpretation, Duo Interpretation, Prose, and Poetry. Her favorite memories from her time on the team include Gatlinburg Trips, competing at Emory University in Atlanta, and doing things in the community, like the Wax Museum put on for the elementary schools. Speech Team gave Emily lifelong friends, mentors, and experiences that she will forever be grateful for.  

Kaleb was a PHS Class of 2015 graduate. After graduating, he attended Western Kentucky University where he received his Bachelor of Art in English. Recently, Kaleb returned to his alma mater to teach English and now serves as a Speech Team Coach. 

Kaleb was a member of the Speech Team for three years and competed in every IE event at least once throughout his high school career. His most successful events included Duo Interpretation and Storytelling. Not only was he the 2013 State Champion in Set Design but he was also District Champion in other events. 

One of his greatest memories was breaking in multiple events at the Carson Newman Invitation in Gatlinburg Tennessee. 

Some of his favorite things about the speech team are making lifelong friends, traveling around the country, the freedom to open expression, and of course the competition. Kaleb also credits Mrs. Starnes for helping shape him into the man he is today. 

One of his greatest honors is being able to continue to support and coach new members and he hopes one day to expand the Speech and Debate League in Sumner County by helping start new programs throughout the district.    

Blaine was a PHS Class of 2015 graduate.  Blaine is now the Director of Strength and Conditioning at Goodpasture Christian School. Blaine says the PHS Speech Team was hands down one of his favorite parts of high school. He was able to create lasting memories with some of his best friends while giving him life and speaking skills that still benefit him to this day.  He says Speech Team is a door that allows students to express who they really are. It lets an audience, judges, and peers see aspects of a performer’s personality that they didn’t know existed. He was honored and privileged to serve as VP and President of the team while in high school. He says he'll never forget the feeling of excitement and accomplishment I felt when me and my duo partner, Adam Parks, won first at State. He says that was his greatest accomplishment and not much can compare to that feeling even to this day. Blaine is married to Emma Donoho.

Kendra was a 2014 graduate from PHS. She now attends Belmont University where she will graduate in December with her Masters of Arts in Teaching. Kendra was a member of the speech team for three years. 

One of her favorite things from being on the speech team was all the friendships she made. She competed and placed in several events. Some of her favorites were duet acting, duo, and original oratory. She placed 3rd at districts in Original Oratory. 

Kayla is a 2013 PHS graduate. After high school, she started working for 109 Auto Sales of Portland in 2014 and has been there since. She states that having a speech background has really helped her excel in the car industry with customers. She also has children, 2 boys, whom she hopes will also find joy in speech.

Kayla joined the speech team after taking intro to speech as a freshman, because of Mrs. Starnes and watching the grades above her preform in the Forensics Shows. She competed in multiple events, but Dramatic Interpretation and Prose were where she found her niche! As a sophomore and junior she never placed at any tournament. She became discouraged but used that as motivation to succeed as a Senior, where she placed at just about every tournament. As she was ending her speech career, she was able to place 2nd in the district competition moving onto state. She placed 7th in the state competition weeks later.

Kayla has so many fond memories and accomplishments from her speech team days. She was named Vice President as a junior and President as a Senior. She received the nick name of “Little Starnes” as well as received the Kathleen Beach award and both were her most honored and cherished memories. She enjoyed performing in the forensics shows and prom fashion show every year. One of her fondest memories was bed checks in Gatlinburg where she and other teammates would surprise Mrs. Starnes, Mrs. Allen, and J. Smith!

If there is one thing Kayla would have done differently, it would have been to not be so hard on herself the first couple of years and practiced just a little bit more. The feeling of freedom and the confidence speech gave Kayla, along with the positivity from Mrs. Starnes helped mold her into who she is today.

Ashley (Brown) Whitten is a Portland High School Class of 2013 graduate. After high school, she went to the University of Tennessee, where she earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Mathematics. She is currently back at PHS teaching math and coaching cross country. 

Ashley was a 2-year member of the Speech Team while she was in high school, where she primarily competed in Duet Acting. Some of her fondest memories from being on the team include placing 4th at State, trips to Gatlinburg, and bonding with classmates. Being part of the team gave Ashley confidence in herself and in her speaking abilities, which have helped propel her to where she is now. 

Amy Malloy is a 2009 PHS graduate. She graduated from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville in 2013 with a BS in Child and Family Studies and a dual license in Early Childhood and Special Education. In 2016 she received her Master of Education from Union University.

She was a member of the PHS speech team for three years. She competed in Duo Interpretation and Duet Acting. PHS speech team taught her communication skills, how to work with a partner, how to work with a team and support fellow team members. 

Amy is married to Mark, and they have 2 boys, Cooper and Holden.

Ashley is a graduate of the Portland High School Class of 2008. She has currently returned to her alma mater as a chemistry teacher and is on her 9th year of teaching. As a member of the PHS Speech Team, Ashley was able to use her communication and leadership skills to earn the title of Speech Team President her senior year. Ashley would say that being a member of the speech team helped her speaking skills tremendously thought her college and professional career, allowing her to expand her leadership skills at a high level. 

Ashley's fondest memory was during her and Kelsey Brady's (Napier) piece "Ten Easy Steps to Humiliation." When performing at a competition one time, both of them forgot the words to the songs in the piece. The judges knew, and they were MORTIFIED!

David Starnes is a 2007 graduate of Portland High School.  He attended MTSU  and majored in Communications with an emphasis on Marketing and Sales. David is a State Farm insurance agent based in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee.

David competed in Duet Acting and Duet improvisation.  His greatest achievement was receiving the first 100 for the team in duet improvisation with his duo partner Will Axley.  HIs senior year David was awarded the Communications Award for Portland High School.

David's fondest memories are all the great trips and fun times with his speech family, spending time with Coach J and writing songs with Adam and Brasher.

Drew Jennings is a 2007 graduate of Portland High School He attended Cumberland University and majored in Humanities and Social Sciences emphasizing in Pre-Law, with minors in History, Criminal Justice, and Anthropology. Drew is currently employed as Assistant Vice President and Commercial Lender at The Farmers Bank. In 2014, Drew was elected to The Portland City Council, and appointed Vice Mayor in 2020. He, his wife, and their daughter reside in Sumner County and are members of First Baptist Portland where Drew serves as a Sunday School teacher and Finance Committee member. Vice Mayor Jennings also sits on the board of directors for Portland Preservation Foundation. 

Drew says the speech team did wonders for helping to help get him out of his comfort zone and have a lot of fun in the process! "Our team really ended up being more of a family. I have always been one comfortable in social settings but when you get my up in front of people the nerves kick in. The skills learned in speech team are used for a lifetime in whatever career path you take and have definitely helped me with community banking and politics."

Becky Simpson was a PHS class of 2004 graduate and a member of the very first  PHS speech team. Becky graduated from Middle Tennessee State University with a Bachelor of Science in Communications. 

Becky is grateful for her experiences from her four years with the PHS speech team. Becky credits the speech team for teaching her how to compete individually as well as on a team. Becky competed in Duo interpretation, Impromptu and Television broadcasting during her four years. The speech team allowed Becky to practice her presentation of self and fine tune many communication skills, which she now applies to her corporate leadership position. 

Becky’s most fond speech team memories include traveling for competitions, the year of the snowy drive, practicing in front of everyone, celebrating every team member's “breaks” and in honor of all speech team members past and present, the year of the tree. “I am a tree!” 

Becky has three children, Sadie, Charlotte, Tyler