Smoke Signals

     Although Saturday, February 10, 2015, was not a school day, students could be found on campus as Southeast’s Speech and Debate hosted the meet. The club’s adviser, Cathy Strate, arrived on campus early at six am to begin the preparations with the help of her debate members and National Honors Society (NHS) members.  Within a couple hours, the media center was transformed into a suitable place to welcome judges. Breakfast consisted of an assortment of bagels, cream cheese, sweets, and coffee which fueled them for the long day to come.  As speech and Debate students, middle and high schoolers, arrived from schools such as King High School, Strawberry Crest High School, Carrollwood Day School, and St. Pete High School, they were directed to the media center. There, many chose to prepare for their competitions and purchase snacks from two of our NHS students who were sold snacks and drink for a dollar all day. Around ten, culinary members began preparing the cafeteria by bringing in equipment to feed the many students in attendance. Lunch consisted of chili and cornbread as well with the choice of sweet or unsweetened tea. After eating lunch in between their competitions, they resumed preparing and practicing.

 

     Although Southeast’s Speech and Debate students have competed in original oratory, extemporaneous and declamation, last Saturday they only competed in congressional and public forum debate. As a result, they won first-third place in congressional debate, first in public forum debate and third in public forum debate!