The MacArthur Speech & Debate team placed first at this winter classic tournament with 3,100 points. This event happened at Saddleback High School on December 14, from 7:15 AM to 3:30 PM. Speech and Debate is a class and club that does these tournaments three to four times a year. Students prepare speeches for competitions by rehearsing them during class and as homework.
Speech and Debate Adviser Ms. Caroline Van de Merghel said, “This Saturday, December 14, we have our second tournament, the Winter Classic, at Saddleback High School. Fifty-four students will be competing in 88 events, against other students in the school district. And I am so very proud of my students.”
The following team members finished in first place:
- Alejandro L. for Informitive
- Ethan H.
- Ethan F. & Matthew A.
- Jaimie L.
- Katherine R.
- Marion B.
- Sophia N.
- Zxavi H.
“I got first place for prose and P.O.I. I got to the place I am now because of the support from my peers, coaches, teachers, and family. My favorite parts about my events are competing against really skilled people and seeing what I can do to improve my performance,” said Jaime, a member of the Speech and Debate team.
Speech and Debate is a competitive class. To compete at the tournament, students prepare speeches in:
- Original Oratory: Memorized persuasive or informative speeches
- Interpretation: Dramatic, humorous, poetic performances of literature
- Extemporaneous: Impromptu speeches on current events
“Speech & Debate is an event if you want to be an actor, judge, or anything with public speaking. This will help with shyness and with your voice. Speech & Debate can be like a drama play, but you play it yourself. You can join as an elective or as a club,” said Jody B., seventh grade. Jody has been in Speech and Debate since she was a sixth-grader and she said anyone can do it.
For the rest of this season, our Speech and Debate champions will have two more tournaments. After the last tournament, whoever gets 1st place will go to Nationals. Nationals are held in the summer.