John J. Oliver Speech and Debate Fund

Endowment Keeps Team Focused on What Matters

For over three decades now, Plymouth High School Speech & Debate teams have been bringing trophies home. They travel to tournaments all over the Midwest, take top awards in the State Finals competition every year and regularly send competitors to national competitions too. Speech & Debate competitors carry their skills with them into successful college experiences and career excellence. When the program first began, the school budget and team fundraisers covered transportation and other costs. Plymouth Community School Corporation Superintendent Dan Tyree, a former coach and team founder, recalls a time when “our kids spent more time raising money than practicing their speeches!” That changed when local businessman John J. Oliver gave a generous contribution to the Speech and Debate team through an endowment fund at MCCF and asked other donors to match his gift. The endowment fund provides needed funding for the teams to continue participation in competitions. Now, instead of fundraisers, the team can focus on perfecting their skills!