A homeschooled freshman from Martinsville recently competed with some of the top homeschooled orators in the nation at the NCFCA National Championship at Anderson University in South Carolina.

The students who competed had to qualify throughout the season to be invited to this final event. Out of the 10 speech categories and three debate styles held, Honor Persing was invited to compete in team policy debate as well as Impromptu and Extemporaneous Speaking.

For these limited prep-categories, the competitors are presented a new topic each round, and have a timed preparation period before giving a new speech.

In tournament fashion, they compete through three rounds, then the top half advance to quarterfinals, next to semifinals, then the top eight to the final round.

Honor made it to finals, and earned second place in the nation in Extemporaneous Speaking.

She and her partner, Samuel Langdon, made it to the debate Octafinals, and were ranked 20th at the tournament out of the 75 teams present. She was also awarded 13th speaker award out of the 150 team policy debaters.

Honor is the daughter of Joe and Michelle Persing.