Finding Their Voices Through Speech and Debate

Ailani Maximo-Beltran – PCHS Bulletin

Another year for the Speech and Debate club at Parrish Community High School, where students sharpen their communication skills and share their passion for public speaking. With the club’s growth and success, PCHS is now preparing to introduce a new speech class to cater to the new interest in this skill set. 

The club is meant for students to discuss interesting topics. They learn to develop arguments when participating in debates. It teaches students quick thinking skills along with listening skills. Students can debate diverse topics, from serious real-world situations to more silly debates like whether Cheez-its or Goldfish are better. 

This year, the club participated in their first competition. The club hopes to gather more funding to attend more competitions in the future. The competition, Oratorical Speech Competition, was sponsored by the American Legion. Student, Mateo Schneider, won first place in the district along with a cash prize. He will be advancing to area competition and will compete for a chance to advance to higher competition levels.  

Excited about the next competition, Schneider said “My strategy for the competition was just writing favorably towards the judges’ views and just really putting in some detail and displaying basic knowledge of the constitution.” Schneider also spoke about how he has learned to broaden his views and not just look at an argument through one scope.

Sponsor Alison Depatie hopes to teach students to be involved, think for themselves, conduct research, and practice communication skills. Depatie said, “I hope I am teaching them to think, and to research for themselves and to not only form an argument, but to be able to articulate that argument without fighting.” 

As a newer school, PCHS is always looking to expand what they offer. One of those new additions is a speech class. The class is pending and may be added depending on student interest and teacher availability, but it is a potential elective option for the upcoming school year. The class is open to grades 9-12 and eligible students that have had a C or higher in a previous English class. This course will provide another opportunity for students to find their voice.