Sweeping the top four spots, the Big Spring High School Speech and Debate Team dominated the UIL Congress State Qualifying tournament held recently at the Region 18 Educational Service Center in Midland. Seniors, Tyler Grove and Chloe Sanchez with Juniors, Ashley Melendez and Ella Correa represented the team.
Competing against other 4A schools in Region 18, which included Pecos, Monahans, and Greenwood, Big Spring came out victorious winning all three State Qualifying spots.
Grove led the day placing first and winning the regional championship while Sanchez placed second with Melendez third and Correa in fourth. The top three will compete in Austin in January at the UIL Congressional Debate State Meet on the campus of the University of Texas.
Congress is a contest that models the legislative process of democracy, specifically, the United States Congress. Within this mock legislative assembly competition, contestants draft legislation, research the docket of bills and resolutions, deliver speeches on the merits and disadvantages of each piece of legislation, and vote to pass or defeat the measures they have examined.
Grove, who was in finals at the State Congress Meet last year stated; “I’m excited to be able to go back and compete at congress state next year. Having more experience in the event will help me to achieve my goal of a state championship” Melendez added, “I just missed out on going to state in congress last year, I am looking to do well at state.”
Debate coach Jennifer Adams, is pleased with the results saying “I’m so excited about our prospects going into the state meet.” She added “Congress is one of the relatively newer events in the University Interscholastic league and we have been fortunate to have placed first at the Region level in the decade since the event started..”
Unlike other competitions, the final round of the UIL State Congressional Debate competition takes place in the Texas Capitol Building. Sanchez, who is in her first year of competing in congress stated “I want to have the opportunity to debate bills and resolutions on the floor at the Texas capitol, I think it will be an amazing experience.” she stated.
(courtesy photo)
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