Samantha Bengtson/Soledad Bee
Spanish and Migrant Speech Debate students with their coaches: (from left) Coach Mayra, Laritza Hernandez, Melissa Lizaola, Ruth Sanchez, Faustino Zamarripa, Maria Zamarripa, Humberto Santos and Coach Amy.
SOLEDAD — Several students from Soledad High School and one San Vicente Elementary School student are moving on to the State Debate Competitions for Spanish and Migrant Speech and Debate.
Laritza Hernandez, Paulina Delgado, Cristian Vargas, Melissa Lizaola and Ruth Sanchez were part of the first place Spanish Debate Team coached by Mrs. Medina.
Lizaola joined the Spanish Debate Team because she likes to talk and use her speaking skills in public. Sanchez is in her first year on the team and enjoys participating in different events.
Hernandez said she joined the debate team because she didn’t want to be a shy girl anymore and wanted to learn how to speak in public.
Faustino Zamarripa, a ninth-grade student at Soledad High School, placed second in High School Extemporaneous Speech, and fellow ninth-grader Humberto Santos placed second in Prepared Speech.
“I want to be able to be heard when I’m standing up for something,” said Zamarripa. “This helps me in speaking clear to the public.”
Maria Zamarripa, a sixth grader at San Vicente Elementary, placed third in English Prepared Speech. She is in her first year in the speech program and said it has helped her overcome shyness.
The students competed at Harden Middle School in Salinas on March 10 at the Regional Speech and Debate Tournament, and the State Competition will take place May 5 in Visalia.
The debaters had to overcome challenges while preparing their speeches, such as their nerves, memorizing four to five minute speeches, competing against other friends in the competition, organizing and researching.
“Being my first year of speech it was kind of difficult trying to remember the speech,” said Maria Zamarripa.
Santos, who is in his third year in the program, said last year the topics were easier and the time limit was easier. This year the topic of the speech was “Consumer Education” and asked if such things as learning about taxes and financial health should be a high school requirement or not.
The topic for the Spanish Debate Team was “Solitary Confinement” and whether or not it is a violation of human rights and should be banned. Members had to prepare arguments for both sides of the topic.
When the Spanish Debate and Migrant Speech students head to State, they will compete against other place winners throughout California. Faustino and Santos will have to prepare a second debate topic, which will be the rationing of water.
