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Westglades Middle School Impresses at National Speech and Debate Tournament 100th Anniversary Competition 5

The Westglades Middle School Speech and Debate team {courtesy}

The Westglades Middle School Speech and Debate team continued its tradition of excellence with a standout performance at the 100th anniversary of the National Speech and Debate Association’s National Tournament, where 19 students traveled to Des Moines, Iowa, to represent their school on the national stage.

The Westglades Middle School squad joined 829 other middle school competitors from 41 states in what, according to Brooke Pappas, Speech and Debate Coach, turned out to be a memorable and inspiring experience marked by the payoff of a lot of hard work.

“Our students showed incredible poise, perseverance, and talent on the national stage,” Pappas tells Parkland Talk, adding that a handful of students were recognized as top performers.

“Several even earned top honors, which is an amazing accomplishment considering the level of competition.”

Among those earning national recognition were Gabriella Duman, who reached the quarterfinals in Impromptu; Saharsh Kalam, who placed ninth in the nation for speaker points in Lincoln Douglas Debate; Briana Loo Martinez, a semifinalist in Informative Speaking; and the duo of Rexford Lee and Joaquin Vasiliadis, who finished third in the nation in DUO Interpretation.

Pappas described the atmosphere in Des Moines as “electric,” with a blend of excitement and nerves filling the air during the early rounds. “Especially for those experiencing their first time away from home, there was some anxiety,” she said. “But I reminded them they earned their spot. They belonged here, competing with the best middle school speakers and debaters in the country.”

As the tournament progressed, Pappas said she watched the students grow in confidence with every round. Beyond the competition itself, the travel and time spent together created lasting bonds among teammates. Whether it was sharing meals, supporting each other between rounds, or visiting local attractions, she said the group became like a family.

“While we always aim to win, Nationals is about much more than medals,” she said. “It’s about being part of something bigger, about cheering for your teammates, even when your tournament ends.”

The road to Nationals was no easy one. Pappas shared that students worked all year to qualify, competing in multiple tournaments and spending countless hours reviewing feedback and refining their performances.

One of the most emotional moments of the trip came during their return home. “At 12:30 in the morning at the airport, we had to say goodbye after such an intense and special week,” Pappas said. “There were a lot of tears. That moment showed just how close this team had become.”

Pappas also noted how often strangers approached them during the trip to compliment the students. “At restaurants, museums, and other places, people went out of their way to tell us how respectful, kind, and well-mannered our kids were,” she said. “As a coach, there’s nothing more meaningful than seeing your students represent their school and community with such class.”

The Westglades team also received vital support in their preparation from Dr. Abraham and the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Speech and Debate Team, who visited the school weekly in May to help the students practice and sharpen their skills. “We’re incredibly grateful for their support and guidance,” Pappas said.

Pappas hopes the students will remember how much they have grown, not just as speakers, but as people.

“Nationals challenged them in ways they hadn’t been challenged before. I hope they take pride in that and carry the lessons with them for years to come.”

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Ryan Yousefi

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.