The Oklahoma Speech Theatre and Communication Association honored Norman North debate coach Jennifer Pope at its annual conference Sept. 13.?At the conference luncheon, held at Northeastern State University in Talequah, Pope was named the Outstanding Young High School Speech Coach for 2008.?

Pope graduated from Edmond Santa Fe High School in 2001.?She earned her bachelor's degree and teacher certification from the University of Central Oklahoma in 2005 and her master's degree from UCO in 2008.?She joined the faculty at Norman North in the fall of 2005.

During her three years at North, the Timberwolves have earned the OSSAA state championship in speech and debate twice, and finished second last year.?She has coached several state champion speakers as well as a number of state finalists in each of her years as a teacher.?At the National Forensic League national tournament in 2007 she coached a Lincoln-Douglas debater to a seventh place finish, and in 2008 two of her Lincoln-Douglas debaters went deep in the tournament, one of them finishing in the top 20.?

Jim Ryan, theater arts teacher at Norman North said, "Ms. Pope is an outstanding teacher who has doubled the enrollment in our debate program in just a few short years. Most importantly, her commitment to expanding the program involves encouraging students of all ability levels to challenge themselves in debate -- not just her super-stars.?Jennifer challenges herself as well as her students. She has earned her master's degree while leading one of the most competitive programs in the state, and she also participates fully in the drama program as well, preparing students in acting events, and even directing plays on occasion.

"No other young teacher in Oklahoma has had the success and wide-ranging accomplishment demonstrated by Jennifer Pope over the last three years.?The OSTCA award shows that her colleagues know this, and that they respect her for her efforts.?As she begins her fourth year with us, I am hard-pressed to think of any high school teacher at any experience level who can match her."