The speech team competed against all Region 16 schools this past weekend at the UIL District Congress meet at Amarillo High. Senior Tino Frausto advanced to finals and junior Chris Jackson advanced to finals and placed third. Jackson’s third place finish qualified him to compete in the first ever UIL State Congress Meet in Austin, Texas this January.

Congress is an individual contest in a large group setting that models the legislative process of the United States Congress. Within this mock legislative assembly, contestants draft proposed laws and position statements, and they research bills and resolutions dealing with real-world social and political policies prior to the contest to prepare their speeches. During the contest, students work in committees, deliver formal discourse on the merits and disadvantages of each piece of legislation, and vote to pass or defeat the bills. Students also respond to others’ arguments over the course of a session.

Speech teacher Lacy Venhaus is the coach of the speech and debate team.