If you’re expecting Speech and Debate to be full of briefcases, blazers, and courtroom fighting–you are not entirely incorrect. Don’t get me wrong, there are plenty of moments with intense arguments and “civilized” yelling, but it’s also full of snack-fueled practice sessions, last minute panic, and weird debates on whether pineapple belongs on pizza or not (we’re still divided on that one.)
I am going to be honest, most of us joined without totally knowing what we were getting into. I thought that Speech and Debate would be full of boring speeches about politics and history, but what I didn’t expect was how fun–and sometimes chaotic–it would actually be. One minute we are practicing silly improv speeches, and the next we’re trying to explain complicated topics that we barely understand yet. It’s not always smooth sailing, but it is never boring!
Some highlights of the club include:
- That one person who has memorized their entire speech perfectly, while the rest of us are struggling to keep our notecards in order.
- The random dramatic pauses that somehow make the speech sound “smarter”.
- The classic “In summary…” moment when there’s at least three minutes of talking left.
- The high schoolers who help us out but still manage to keep things fun and low-pressure.
- And most importantly: the endless supply of snacks from our teacher, Mrs. Osmany. Nothing heals post-speech nerves quite like Goldfish and juice boxes!
Speech and Debate isn’t easy. You will mess up, forget your opening line, run out of speaking time, and probably wonder why you joined in the first place. But the more you do it, the better you’ll get at it. Then you will win a round that surprises you, and in the end, it’s not just about arguing—it’s about learning how to think on the spot, talk in front of people, and handle the nerves that come with it.
Final verdict?
I would recommend it—especially if you like excitement, slightly unhinged practice debates, and figuring out how to sound confident even when your mind is going haywire (plus bonus points for the snacks!).
