Bobcat speech and debate braves the heat at nationals

Hot Springs County High School Speech and Debate couldn't get enough sun at the National Speech and Debate Association (NSDA) 2023 National Tournament in Phoenix, Ariz., last week. This year's NSDA National Tournament included over 6,000 qualifying competitors from over 2,000 schools.

Two qualifying Bobcats, Karina Lea and Julia Quintanilla, accompanied by coaches, Lyle Wiley and Alyssa Brown, traveled to the week long, nationwide competition and performed alongside the best in the US (and some additional countries).  Lea and Quintanilla worked hard since October during the competitive speech season to earn the honor to compete at the national tournament, and they continued to prepare for the tournament for about six weeks prior to the competition.

Lea, a graduated senior, performed in three rounds of both expository and poetry.  Lea's expository explored a term coined "feralism," and the quirky speech earned one first place ranking, nearly breaking into later rounds."Nationals was incredible," said Lea who valued the opportunity to travel to Phoenix to compete. "Being in the proximity of so many talented people was both intimidating and really encouraging. The Phoenix skyline was the perfect backdrop to a trip where I learned so much about speech and debate and myself," added Lea.

A rising senior, Quintanilla competed in six rounds of humor and three rounds of both storytelling and original spoken word poetry.  Quintanilla's hilarious humor piece, "The God of Cake," scored some high ranks against the toughest of competition, but did not break into culminating rounds. Quintanilla's solid performance points to a bright future in competition for a fierce and talented performer.

At her first national tournament, assistant coach Alyssa Brown experienced judging competitive rounds with the nation's best. Impressed by the level of the competition, Brown said, "It was an amazing way to end my first season of speech and debate. Seeing all the talented individuals from not only Wyoming schools but all over the nation was an honor."

"The tournament atmosphere was electric, exciting, and, well, blazing hot," said head coach Lyle Wiley.

Wiley added, "It was a lovely way to end the Bobcat speech and debate season. Our competitors had the opportunity to travel across the country, have some fun, see a diversity of amazing speech and debate performers from all over, and compete against the best."

The Bobcats traveled on a school bus to the tournament, teaming up with Worland, Laramie, and Rawlins to save money and create community. According to the group, the drive, while certainly long, was full of beautiful scenery and camaraderie. The national tournament gives Wyoming teams an opportunity to bond together in support of each other.  

This year, in addition to many breaks to advancing rounds at the tournament, three Wyoming students finished in the final round of expository (an event with over 500 competitors), and a Cheyenne East competitor, Joshua Thompson, won the title of National Champion.

"This Wyoming community continues to show the ability to compete at the national level, and we are proud of our Bobcats and all of the Wyoming students who shared their voices and talents at nationals," said Wiley.  

"I want to thank everyone in our community who participated in fundraisers or donated money to help our students compete in both the regular season and at the national tournament," said Wiley.  

"These truly are transformative opportunities for students to share their voice, make lasting friendships, and learn  about different places and perspectives."  

It was a fitting end to an impressive speech and debate career for Lea. "I'm so glad that Karina was able to end their time as a Bobcat at the biggest speech and debate stage. Karina is going to go on to great things, but we will miss their leadership and talent greatly," said Wiley. Lea will be attending Middlebury College in Vermont this fall.

The Wyoming State 1A/2A Runner-Up Bobcats will start fundraising for the upcoming speech and debate season after a short break and begin practices for the 2023-2024 campaign in October.