SUBMITTED REPORT.
Last week, speech and debate students from across UIL’s 27th district vied for an opportunity to advance to the upcoming University Interscholastic League (UIL) State Cross-Examination Debate Meet. Each district may advance two teams to state competition. Hays High School’s teams swept the top three places, shutting out teams from Kerrville-Tivy, Boerne-Champion and Lehman High School.
The winning team, junior Haley Butler and sophomore Claudia Norman, finished the day with an undefeated record, making them the top district qualifiers. Juniors Vanessa Garcia and Tori Halenza lost only once, to Butler and Norman in the final round, making them the second place state qualifiers. Sophomores Gracie Hough and Avery Ostrand finished third, making them the district alternates for the state meet, which will take place over spring break at the University of Texas at Austin.
This year’s debate topic was the real-world problem of the United States’ economic engagement with Cuba, Mexico, and Venezuela.“I am incredibly proud of all three of these teams,” Speech and Debate Director, Gina Lozano, said.
Shown here are Haley Butler, Claudia Norman, Gracie Hough, Avery Ostrand, Tori Halenza, and Vanessa Garcia. (Photo by Gina Lovano)
