Speaking in front of people is terrifying  and intimidating, but if one is looking to improve social and presentation skills, the debate team is the place to be. The team is sponsored by debate coach, Rick Jordan. All members prepare presentations for competition after school until 5 p.m. and practices are sometimes extended until 6 p.m. Captains include seniors Amy Gomez and Victor Zaragoza.

The debate team includes many events ranging from acting in a dramatic duet, to a funny duo where one can’t touch or look at a partner or else it results in disqualification. Then there is debating a topic against another school. All activities have something in common, there is an audience and a judge.

Individual work is crucial. Zaragoza has qualified for state for his Humorous Interpretation (HI). Camp by Frank Joseph is a nine minute play, about Timmy who decides to work at camp, he meets his weird co workers who eventually have an impact on him and he ends up becoming one of them, the voices  are hilarious.

“You can’t expect to go through life and get everything you want, you have to work for it. So I did,”  Zaragoza said.

For motivation the team gathers round and yells out a loud cheer before each tournament.

“1,2,3 You win for you. You win for you, not for the team or anyone else, but for you,” Zaragoza said.

In order to succeed in the debate team it requires dedication and hours of practice.  All the hard work has been paying off since the team has earned three sweepstakes which are trophies awarded to the top three schools with the highest numbers of points earned in that tournament. Points are earned by placing at least 3rd in a competition.

It’s extra fun and there is always room for improvement and to be the best.

“I coach, I see what is missing and I fix it,” coach Jordan said.

Members are pursuing to win but also enjoy what they do and what they have accomplished so far as a team.

“The debate team is like a family to me,” senior Valorie  Moreno said.