In a competition where every word matters, students step into the spotlight to prove that speech and debate are as much about strategy as they are about speaking.

Junior Ann Marie Franco and freshman Ariana Herran attended the Texas Forensic Speech and Debate Competition from March 12 through the 14 in the Frisco, Dallas area.

Qualifying

The competition is a highly competitive and selective speech and debate championship that students have to qualify for.

To qualify for the competition, participants had to place in the finals here in El Paso in an individual event.

At the competition, there were different events that the students qualified for, such as: CX, LD, and PF Debate, Congressional Debate, World Schools Debate, and Duo/Duet Acting.

There are also individual events like Extemporary, Prose, and Poetry.

Ariana Herran qualified for the Lincoln-Douglas debate at the University of North Texas.

Ann Marie Franco qualified for speech at a local middle and high school in Prosper, Texas.

During the competition, there were different events being held, and there were students from all over the state in attendance.

Ann Marie said, “The atmosphere at the event was humungous-everything’s bigger in Texas, and there were a lot of people from everywhere.”

This is exposure for students, especially from Loretto, to be able to represent their school proudly, Ann Marie said, “It’s so important, especially in El Paso, where we’re so isolated, to go out and compete.”

Hard work pays off

These students dedicate hours of practice and effort to prepare for competition, and their hard work is reflected in their impressive achievements.

From these accomplishments of the state competition, Ann Marie Franco,  and other members from the speech and debate team who did not go to state, Arantza Espino and Andrea Palm qualified for nationals in Richmond, Virginia, from June 14-16th.

Congratulations to these students for their hard work and for proudly representing Loretto Academy!