“Great people who happen to be great speakers” is a slogan used by the AHS Speech and Debate team. This team gives students the opportunity to speak well and speak for something they believe in.
This year, the AHS Speech and Debate team is revitalizing a National Speech and Debate Association (NSDA) tournament. This is the Bull Creek Invitational tournament. The tournament is occurring on Oct. 27 and Oct. 28 of the 2023-24 school year. The team chose to institute this tournament to “honor and remember” the legacy of NSDA coach Timothy Shieff, who asked for this tournament to return before he passed according to coach Troy Roach. The 2023-24 school year is Roach’s second year coaching the AHS Speech and Debate team, and his goal is to create strong advocates. He aims to shape students into “great people who happen to be great speakers.”
The Bull Creek Invitational tournament holds opportunities for AHS students to participate in speech and debate without having to go far from home. At this tournament, students are able to participate in whichever events they’d like. This is a great opportunity for AHS students to gain NSDA points for their placement in rounds, and get the tournament experience that will help them to improve their future speaking.
Extemporaneous Speaking Captain Nissa Molgaard is excited for the Bull Creek Invitational tournament. “I feel very accomplished this year,” said Molgaard. Molgaard has been a member of the AHS Speech and Debate team since their freshman year, and continues to participate because “I love advocating and talking about subjects I’m passionate in. I have found a community that I love and continue to be in, specifically because of the community we continue to build,” said Molgaard.
The Bull Creek Invitational Tournament is an important tournament for the AHS Speech and Debate team because it helps them grow community, support, and students’ speaking skills. This tournament encourages competitors to be “great people who happen to be great speakers.”
