By Emily Slater, News Editor
Lone Star College-North Harris’s Speech and Debate team, in conjunction with the Lone Star system-wide Honors College, became the 2017 state champions at the Texas Community College Forensics Association State Tournament at San Jacinto College North Campus the weekend of Feb. 10.
The team of eleven LSC students took home numerous awards, including the Individual Events State Sweepstakes, the Overall Championship Sweepstakes, and the Collier Patton Cumulative Sweepstakes Award. The Collier Patton Cumulative Sweepstakes Award is awarded to the community college with the most points accumulated through the years. The award’s namesake is a former LSC Director of Forensics and Speech Professor at Lone Star College-Kingwood, who passed away in 2012.
“Speech and Debate offers a unique experience for these students; the ability to view the world through different eyes,” says debater and LSC-Kingwood freshman Angie Cervantes.
The students have debated on topics such as the importance of free speech, the definition of asexuality, and foreign and domestic political affairs.
“I learned that regardless of whether or not you are godly gifted, it is hard work and dedication that leads you to success,” says team member Banel Ka, on what she has learned from being a part of the speech and debate team.
In the wake of their victory at state, the team has already begun preparing for nationals in April, meeting every Thursday for five hours to practice and prepare together, in addition to the practice and preparation the students must do on their own.
Speech and debate team pose for photograph after victory at State. Pictured from left to right: Carlos Figueroa, Angie Cervantes, Benjamin Maniscalo, Belle Nguyen, Diarra Raymond, Banel Ka, Noah Miller, Allyzah Allene Cabugao, Jacob Files, Haley Porterfield, and Raven Campos. Photo by Wade Hescht.
