On the speech team, we sometimes joke that we keep a schedule like vampires: we leave for speech while it’s dark outside and leave meets when it’s dark again. Speech meets last all day. Debate season begins in the fall, around November, and overlaps with Speech which lasts until March. It’s a long season if you’re heavily involved.
My favorite part of speech, aside from the competition, is getting to know other schools and making friends. We all get lost in the big public schools and get to know people who do the same events we do, forming little grudges and friendships.
The speech team has had many successful tournaments. Many on the team qualified for the State speech meet, meaning they were in the top 6 competitors at the Sectional meet. The State meet in Indianapolis went well: Alistair Tollar advanced to Semifinals in Impromptu speaking, and everyone had a good time.
The season is now over, but Nationals is still coming up this summer. Bethany has more competitors going to the National Speech and Debate meet this summer than we have ever had before. In World Schools Debate, a team event, the team of Rachel, Alex, Philip, and Christian has qualified. Aaron Yeakey qualified in Congress, and Reesha Bhagat qualified in Lincoln Douglas debate. Alistair Tollar qualified in United States Extemporaneous! Congratulations to the qualifiers. They will compete in Dallas, Texas in June.