Westglades Middle School Speech and Debate {WMS Middle}
Westglades Middle School’s Speech and Debate team participated in the District Speech and Debate Championship held at Cypress Bay High School last weekend, showcasing their talents and achieving great success.
According to the team’s Speech and Debate coach, Brooke Pappas, the 42-member squad brought home 11 trophies across multiple events.
Pappas shared with Parkland Talk that the championship was notably competitive this year, featuring five rounds of competition, compared to the usual two rounds in regular tournaments.
“This competition was intense, with each student performing five times in front of different judges,” Pappas said, adding, “I am incredibly proud of the stamina and dedication they demonstrated throughout the day,”
Below is a list of award winners:
Public Forum:
5th Place: Andrea Win and Ivanshi Gadani (7th Grade)
4th Place: Samyak Singh and Neel Bharambe (8th Grade)
Lincoln Douglas:
4th Place: Krish Shah (7th Grade)
Poetry:
4th Place: Lily Wiener (8th Grade)
Impromptu:
2nd Place: Gabriella Duman (7th Grade)
Informative Speaking:
2nd Place: Melanie Clifford (8th Grade)
Dramatic Interpretation:
1st Place: Lily Bradford (7th Grade)
Prose:
1st Place: Angelique Kramer (6th Grade)
Congressional Debate:
1st Place: Jordyn Weiss (8th Grade)
Pappas tells Parkland Talk that while the preparation and competition were challenging, the significant support from parents and the community has been instrumental in the team’s success.
“We are grateful for the countless hours our parents have spent judging at these tournaments and to the community for their ongoing interest and support,” she said.
As the end of the school year draws near, the team is already planning for future competitions, including the State Championship next year.
The focus is also on the 2024-2025 school year student officer elections, aiming to build on the current momentum the team has enjoyed.
Reflecting on the broader impact of speech and debate, Pappas noted that competitions and practices are much more than bringing home an award.
“Our students have learned crucial life skills such as critical thinking, time management, and the ability to perform under pressure,” Pappas said.
“It’s an honor to coach and teach these students, witnessing their growth and courage to perform in front of judges and peers.”
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Author Profile
- Ryan Yousefi has lived in Coral Springs for over 30 years. He has worked as a writer for multiples outlets over the years, including the Miami New Times where he has covered sports and culture since 2013. He holds a Bachelor's Degree and a Master's Degree in Business Healthcare Management from Western Governors University.
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