By Zoe Lenz

Recently, the Tempe Prep Speech and Debate team competed in three tournaments. Those were the Jim Fountain Classic, Maverick, and Yale Invitational. They participated in Congress, Lincoln Douglas, Public Forums, Infos, Duos, Interps, and Oratories.

Some speech events are recorded in advance, and some are done live. Of course, all debate events must be done live. Students compete both in person and from their own homes. The new hybrid debate model presented unique issues, but the team was up to the challenge. They succeeded and learned many things for the future.

“It was definitely different this year because it was online,” said Violeta Panyotova. “I learned how to utilize technology a lot more and how to use it to my advantage.”

“My biggest takeaway is that focusing on the truth, instead of technical wording or logical paradoxes, is much more rewarding and beneficial in the long term,” said Connor Clark.

There were also benefits to the online model. Some alumni were able to return to judge the competitions over Zoom, and wouldn’t have been able to do so otherwise. They were also able to compete in both the Yale Invitational and the Maverick at the same time.

Danielle Delgado, the coach, said, “It was tricky but we wouldn’t have been able to do it if not in an online space.”