TEXARKANA, Texas – The Texas High School Speech & Debate Team participated in the UIL Regional Student Congress meet in Pittsburg, TX on November 5.
Team member Macy Sloan placed 4th and will serve as an Alternate to the State meet. Additionally, she won the Gavel for Top Presiding Officer of the District 5A Chamber, which is voted upon by all competitors within the 5A District.
Speech & Debate Team members include: Sydny Correa, Doug Kyles, Nils Schweizer, Macy Sloan and Anna Ward. They are coached by Amy Kemp.
The District Student Congress program is an individual contest, in a large group setting, that models the legislative process of democracy, specifically, the United States Congress.
Within the mock legislative assembly competition, contestants draft legislation (proposed laws and position statements) submitted to the tournament, and they research the docket of bills and resolutions dealing with real-world social and political policies prior to the contest to prepare their speeches.
At the tournament, students caucus in committees, deliver formal disclosure on the merits and disadvantages of each piece of legislation, and vote to pass or defeat the measures they have examined. Parliamentary procedure forms structure for the discourse, and students extemporaneously respond to others’ arguments over the course of a session.
Judges evaluate contestants for their research and analysis of issues, argumentation, skill in asking and answering questions, use of parliamentary procedure and clarity and fluency of speaking.
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Currently featuring eleven campuses, along with a virtual school academy, TISD provides a quality education for pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade. Additionally, the District offers career & technology and special education opportunities for pre-school and school-age children and operates Tiger Learning Centers that provide childcare services for children ages three and up.
