Once titled “Forensics Club”, State High’s Speech and Debate Club focuses on strengthening students’ public speaking, research and quick thinking. Speech and Debate meets every Thursday from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the D2 open classroom. Composed of a variety of branches in the spectrum of speech and debate, the club has room for students focused on skill-building and discussion.

Club meetings begin with the members gathered together for announcements and general information, before they are split up into respective rooms, where captains walk them through branch-specific drills and practices.

Speech and Debate is made of four branches: Lincoln Douglas, Public Forum, Congress, and Speech.

Lincoln Douglas is a moral-based debate where the topic changes every two months. The name and formatting originates from the Lincoln-Douglas debates between Stephen A. Douglas and Abraham Lincoln in Illinois. The branch is captained by State High senior Karen Yee.

“It’s really a social event because, while I’m not in business clubs like Deca or FBLA, I am in science clubs and what sets Speech and Debate apart is [that] it’s more like a social thing, instead of just writing things down, taking tests, or just competing,” Yee said.

Public Forum debates involve two-member teams that discuss bimonthly changing issues. In contrast to Lincoln Douglas, Public Forum relies on fact-based approach rather than moral considerations. 

The Student Congress and Congressional Debate branch mostly focuses on congressional topics and is captained by junior Claire Fox. 

“[Congress] is a mix between speech and debate, where the participants get grouped into sessions of ten to twenty people and they give three minute long speeches,” Fox explained. “There is a questioning period where the other ‘senator’ questions them and picks apart their arguments.”

The Speech branch comprises a variety of different events. There are recitations, including prose, poetry, or published works. There are impromptu speeches, including speeches on any topic or current events. Speech is captained by Alex Haskins. 

“[Speech and Debate] is definitely one of the more competitive clubs,” Haskins said. “We go to a lot of big tournaments against big schools that just allow for bigger competitions compared to a smaller club.”

Among the club’s branches are the Speech and Debate officers. Senior Addison Hart is the club’s president, where she oversees club announcements, activities, and members.

“There is a really good community and it’s often built off of the fact that all of the people there want to build their skills, help prepare them for their futures, get more confident, or just are looking for something extra to make their specific skill better,” Hart said.

Speech and Debate has a place for students interested in communicating effectively and refine their skills, as well as anyone looking for a platform to debate.

“There really is something for everyone at the Speech and Debate club,” Hart said.