Speech and Debate

by Edward Wilson (class of 2023)

HUBERT WORLEY

Iam elated every day that I chose to attend Jackson Prep, a place where the teachers teach and make me laugh, the students encourage and invigorate, and the lessons inspire and entertain. Here at Prep I enjoy a wide variety of options when it comes to academics and extracurricular activities, and I am not shy of attempting, that being the operative word, to immerse myself into as much as I can handle. Most notably, perhaps, might be the Speech and Debate team. I remember my tour of Prep quite vividly even though it was during my eighth grade year. What I remember most was visiting the speech and debate classroom. When you walk in you will be greeted by the eccentric, urbane, and abnormally humble Mr. Younce, Speech and Debate Coach, as well as a good number of other titles. His personality matches his room, which is adorned with books galore, a Viking helmet, and hand-drawn superheroes on the board, among other trinkets. Walking into this room during my tour and being greeted by Mr. Younce was quite interesting to say the least. It made a mark, and that coupled with my earlier interest in the format of debate, both formal and informal, ensured that I would join the speech and debate team when I enrolled in the fall of 9th grade.

Life comes with many regrets, but I have none about joining speech and debate. The multitudes of benefits I have gained socially, academically, and emotionally have truly shaped my experience here at Prep. The comradeship gained through shared anxiety about watching theater pros talking to walls or speaking 500 words a second and the intense level of analytical skills that had to be swiftly honed make speech and debate the best experience to learn that neither failure nor success is final. A champion is on top one tournament and can be at the bottom rung the next. Everyone around you, on the school team and the various state teams, is constantly improving, and if you don't grow yourself and instead become complacent in your “greatness,” you’ll be left behind, clapping for someone else’s win. Friendship, better thinking skills, and understanding of growth are key dynamics of Speech and Debate, not even inclusive of the public speaking and recreational benefits.

It gives me great joy to have an excellent team, coach, and highly supportive administration for an event that gives me so many gifts. None of my “success” would be possible without those three things, and being able to compete with so many incredible individuals is the honor of a lifetime. I only hope that in my last two years I can be as excellent a captain and leader as those who have shown the way for me and ensured I can vie on the level that I do.

EDWARD'S AWARDS

In two regular seasons on the team, rising Junior Edward Wilson has competed in Congressional Debate, Declamation, Extemporaneous Debate, Extemporaneous Speaking, Impromptu Speaking, Lincoln-Douglas Debate, Original Oratory, Poetry Interpretation, Prose Interpretation, and Public Forum Debate. He has reached the bracket rounds in all those events except one, made finals (top 6) in all but two, and finished first in Lincoln-Douglas Debate, Congressional Debate, and/or Declamation multiple times. Edward broke the 1000 competition points barrier in 2021 and earned a seventh-level national rating of “Outstanding Distinction.” In Congressional Debate at the 2021 National Catholic Forensic League (“NCFL”) Grand Nationals championship last Memorial Day weekend, he served as Presiding Officer for three sessions, made Semifinals, and finished 19th out of 246 competitors. At the 2021 National Speech & Debate Association National Championships in June, Edward competed in Congressional Debate, Poetry Interpretation, Extemporaneous Debate, and the Pro-Con Debate Challenge. Edward is the highest-rated, rising Junior in Mississippi and will serve as Jackson Prep Speech & Debate Team Captain for the upcoming 2021-22 season.

HUBERT WORLEY