Join the Bozeman High School “Hawkers” Speech and Debate team for an evening of inspiring performances and a discussion with former team member and senior U.S. Circuit Judge Sidney R. Thomas, former chief of the Ninth Circuit. The evening’s festivities will also include live music, a complimentary dessert bar, a cash bar with wine and beer, and a big-ticket raffle.

The event will be held on May 1, 2024 at The ELM from 7:00 to 9:00 pm. Doors open at 6:30 pm. Tickets are $40 for individual seats.

This fundraiser is a unique opportunity to hear from BHS Hawker alumnus Judge Sidney R. Thomas, Bozeman native and senior U.S. circuit judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Judge Thomas began his tenure on the Ninth Circuit in 1996 with an appointment by then-President Clinton, serving as chief judge of the court from 2014 to 2021. All proceeds of this event go toward sending a group of Bozeman High Hawkers to the National Tournament in Iowa in June, and to Tanzania later this summer. BHS team members will build on last year’s successful collaboration with Tanzania students and teachers, teaching research methods, writing skills, and competitive debate in a two-week intensive camp, culminating with a multi-school Pan-African Speech and Debate tournament.

The Bozeman High Hawkers have been state champions three of the last four years, and 24 team members qualified for the National Tournament in June where they will take on more than 5,000 high school students from nearly 2,000 schools.

The Bozeman High School Speech and Debate team qualifies as a nonprofit under IRS Code Section 501(c)(3). Donations to benefit the Hawkers can be made here.