Speech and debate competitors Genevieve Arabie and Kaylen Sanchez traveled to Katy and showed off their speaking skills at a major tournament. Arabie competed in Program of Oral Interpretation and in Poetry Interp, making finals in both. 

     “The competition was tough, but I feel like I am getting a little better each tournament,” Arabie said. “I’m hoping to qualify for TFA State and also NSDA Nationals this year.” 

     Sanchez was not to be outdone. She made semifinals in Original Oratory. She also went to finals for Informative, where she placed second. This finish gave her the second bid she needed to qualify for the National Individual Event Tournament of Champions which will be held next spring in Kansas City, Missouri. 

     “This was by far the hardest meet that I’ve attended this season, which is why it was much more enjoyable to place,” Sanchez said. “I am so excited that I qualified for NIETOC. This has been one of my biggest goals this year and I am proud that I was able to accomplish it.”

     Coach Melonie Menefee was proud of how the students finished.

     “They are pulling medals at meets in the Houston and Dallas area, where they are competing against 5A and 6A students,” Menefee said. “They are working hard between meets, and that work is paying off.”