Willard High School
Speech & Debate
MSHSAA State 2024
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Team Yearbook Picture 2023/2024
National Qualifiers 2024
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We are a nationally recognized team, and this is a great place to find out what we are up to!
According to the National Speech and Debate Website,
"The activity of speech and debate is an academic sport. Similar to athletic sports, speech and debate activities are challenging, competitive in nature, and require regular practice, coaching, dedication, and hard work."
There are many different activities involved in speech and debate from Humorous and Dramatic Interpretations to Original Oratory, Congressional Debate, Public Forum and many more. Each event features a different form of public speaking and requires a unique skill set and talent. In most parts of the country, there are local opportunities for students to practice their events at tournaments throughout the school year. Additionally, there are district tournaments that offer the opportunity to qualify for the championship at the National Tournament.
The life skills and values gained through speech and debate impact a student the rest of their life."
Additionally they go on to list the benefits of Speech and Debate as follows:
Benefits of speech and debate:
"The activity of speech and debate is an academic sport. Similar to athletic sports, speech and debate activities are challenging, competitive in nature, and require regular practice, coaching, dedication, and hard work."
There are many different activities involved in speech and debate from Humorous and Dramatic Interpretations to Original Oratory, Congressional Debate, Public Forum and many more. Each event features a different form of public speaking and requires a unique skill set and talent. In most parts of the country, there are local opportunities for students to practice their events at tournaments throughout the school year. Additionally, there are district tournaments that offer the opportunity to qualify for the championship at the National Tournament.
The life skills and values gained through speech and debate impact a student the rest of their life."
Additionally they go on to list the benefits of Speech and Debate as follows:
Benefits of speech and debate:
- 99% of speech and debate students go to college
- Speech and debate students have a significant edge in college admissions
- Under-performing students in urban schools show dramatic improvements through participation in speech and debate competitions
- Speech and debate participation provides cognitive and behavioral outcomes including:
- Improved reading, listening, speaking, and writing skills
- Improved critical thinking skills
- Intellectual curiosity
- Increased motivation
- Increased engagement – both at-risk and gifted students engage more and act out up to 50% less
