Plymouth Schools Superintendent and former PHS speech coach Dan Tyree said, “William Young was a local businessman who believed in service to his community. He was instrumental in the building of the outside swimming pool and the PHS Auditorium. He also built the amphitheater and left money in the community foundation to help with operations. He believed in the mission of the speech team and supported us financially and his wife has continued to support the team.”
 Tyree added, “Andy Sanchez is the type of person that Bill Young would have liked to see win this award. He has a strong academic, but more importantly, he has demonstrated a strong spirit of community awareness and service.”
Current Coach David McKenzie echoed those remarks.
“We were so fortunate to have numerous seniors on our team who give back to the community.  Andy is a gifted young man who, I am confident, will find success in whatever he chooses to do. The gratifying part about Andy’s character is his willingness to serve others in a great variety of ways.  I have no doubt his service to others will be a habit that he will continue to develop in the future,” McKenzie said.
Among other activities, Sanchez currently volunteers as a tutor with Key Club. He meets several times each week with students needing extra help. He volunteers at Miller’s Merry Manor as an activities helper and in his church on various projects. He is one of the founding members of the PHS Multicultural Club, where he remains active.
Sanchez performed extremely well at the tournament, taking first place in duo, with his partner Ricky Elm, and first place in Humor.
The PHS team also fared exceptionally well. As host of the largest tournament of the season, the team did not accept a tournament trophy. However, several individuals had an outstanding day versus the tough tournament field. Placing for PHS were:
Ricky Elm and Andy Sanchez — Memorized Duo, first; Andy Sanchez — Humor, first; Katie Morrow — Declamation, first; Katie Morrow and Zach Wendt — Scripted Duo, first; Declan Fox —  Impromptu, first; Austin Craft and Emily Walden — Original Performance, third; Zach Wendt — Poetry, third; Chad Griewank — Humor, fourth; Declan Fox — United States Exemp, fourth; Sam Compton and Olivia Houin —  Scripted Duo, fourth; Jordin Cook and Stephanie Gorka — Scripted Duo, sixth; Cam Robertson — Declamation, sixth; Ricky Elm — Poetry, seventh.
Thirty-one schools originally entered at the William Young Speech tournament with more than 580 entries. Four schools making up about 50 of those entries dropped out due to the extreme weather conditions in the Midwest.
The Northwest Indiana National Forensic League Student Congress was held during the tournament as well. Approximately 70 students competed in the Congress.
Rebecca Moberly placed second in one House Chamber and Jon Tyree place third in another House Chamber. Additionally, Tyree was named outstanding presiding officer in his chamber.