[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 131 (Friday, August 3, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1120]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   SPRING WOODS HS SPEECH AND DEBATE

                                 ______
                                 

                              HON. TED POE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, August 3, 2018

  Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, as the 2017-2018 school year came to a 
close, the Spring Woods High School Speech and Debate Team concluded 
another successful year with a strong performance at the National 
Speech and Debate Association's National Tournament in Ft. Lauderdale, 
Florida.
  Two members of the team logged notable performances in Florida. Anahi 
Torres, a senior, advanced to the semi-finals of the Prose 
Interpretation. Coming off of a 3rd place finish at the state 
tournament, junior Hunter Brown rose above the field to qualify for the 
finals of the Congressional Debate. In the finals, he rose to speak on 
proposed legislation addressing the U.S. Navy, oversight of the Justice 
Department, and other topical issues. He ultimately placed 13th, 
earning him the right to return to Nationals next year as a senior.
  Success at the national and state level has long been a part of 
Spring Woods Speech and Debate team history. This year marked the 18th 
time Spring Woods appeared at Nationals, and Brown's performance this 
past June made it seven consecutive years that Spring Woods has 
advanced to the final round of the Congressional Debate at this 
particular tournament. The team has qualified for the University 
Interscholastic League State (UIL) tournament for the past 11 years, 
boasting UIL state champions and finalists during this period. 
Currently, SWHS is ranked 10th in the state of Texas for qualifications 
at the Texas Forensic Association's State Tournament, and at this 
year's tournament, SWHS had quarter-finalists, semi-finals, and 
finalists.
  It is often said that a team takes on the personality of the head 
coach. No statement could be truer for the SWHS debate team. Under the 
phenomenal leadership of Victoria Beard, director of Forensics at SWHS 
for the past 13 years, the team has not only put in impressive 
performances at local, state, and national tournaments, but also 
provided valuable skills to its members. The students experience gained 
through the tournaments and the long, arduous hours of practice 
balanced between studying for AP exams and finals pays off after 
graduation. Quite literally, as many Spring Woods debaters earn full 
scholarships to prestigious institutions around the country such as 
Yale, George Washington, and the University of Texas. This past spring, 
a SWHS alum and former debater, Christian Rice, gave the commencement 
address at Yale. The other speaker that day--former Secretary of State 
Hillary Clinton.
  Mr. Speaker, as a proud graduate of Springwoods Senior High School 
and a former member of the debate team myself, it is my honor to 
recognize the debate teams hard work and achievements. Congratulations 
to all who took part this year, and may there be many more that follow 
in your footsteps in the future.
  And that is just the way it is.

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