Over the course of Spring Break, the average teenager could usually be found waking up around noon and simply lazing about or going out with friends. This is not the case for the thirteen state competitors from Eaglecrest Speech and Debate team. On Friday, March 22, 2019 the members found themselves at Mountain Vista High School by 7am with rounds slowly beginning at 9am. The tournament is set up just like any other tournament with competition set over the course of two days, in which competitors depending on their scores were rewarded with continued competition or were dismissed from the tournament.

Eaglecrest participates in CHSAA’s Region 2 for state, a division that allows for hundreds of students to partake in the thirteen different events that Speech offers. In addition to the thirteen members, 70 schools from Colorado offered up their own four hundred and eighty-eight students for a shot at securing a win in such a crowded tournament.

With such a crowded tournament, according to Sean Wilton, a humour performer, “We were one short of having a team in every event.” The previous year, Eaglecrest only had seven people. This is definite growth from the first state, 2013, in which only three people were present. This year, Eaglecrest took thirteen students to state. “Last year we had only seven people, this year we had double the amount!” Said Grace Baloun, an original oratory speaker and two year state participant, “It’s really fun to see how the team has grown. There were a lot more familiar faces and more people to cheer us on.”

The large number of state participants isn’t the only success EHS has had this year. Along with that, the team already has two National Qualifiers, and the National Qualifiers for all speakers hasn’t even begun yet. A jump from last year, when there were two speakers in total. Once again, Baloun commented,“I honestly think that compared to last year, there is definite growth. We already have more qualifiers and competitors, our team has grown in strength. And I believe it will continue to do so.” Speech and Debate plans on proving their skills and displaying the Raptor strength at National Qualifiers on the 5th and 6th of April, competition will be held at Cherry Creek High School. For now, congrats to the state competitors and winners, Esther Varghese who tied for 8th place in Foreign Extemp, Chuba Ozor who won 12th place in National Extemp, and Lexi Jackson and Hailey Stepp who achieved top eight and quarter finals in CX or Policy Debate. Eaglecrest competitors will be trying their hand at returning with more success  in the qualifying tournament and those who do succeed will attend Nationals which will be held in Dallas, Texas on June 16th-21st.