Five members of the speech and debate team traveled to College Station last week to compete in the regional Congressional Debate meet. Three members placed, with Evan Grisham slated to return to state in January. 

“It was nerve racking,” sophomore Andrea Garcia said. “It was especially tough going against Leon, because we know all of them.”

From standardized testing to pharmacy prices, the debaters had 30 bills to prepare for.

“It takes a lot of work preparing a three-minute speech for 30 bills,” senior Evan Grisham said. “At the end it’s all worth it though.”

Grisham will be attending the state meet in the spring. Junior Lilah Molina placed fifth overall, and freshman Colby Menefee, was Presiding Officer for the morning session, placed sixth.  

“I am beyond happy that I will be attending the state meet again,”  Grisham said. “I have worked so hard to get here.”

The students are not over with Congressional debate. They have a national qualifier tournament in February.

“I have almost four years to prepare and do my best,” Menefee said. “I love debate – it’s one of my favorite things to  do.”