On Feb. 23 and 24, ten Speech and Debate teams, and a total of twenty students from Bonita Vista High (BVH) qualified in the San Diego Imperial Valley Speech League (SDIVSL) Tournament. The BVH Speech and Debate team dedicated numerous hours to prepare for their tournaments.
The Speech and Debate team actively takes part in the league tournament, which serves as a platform for engaging in open discussions on various present global issues. Junior Capri Molina and junior Morgan Murphy, a duo on BVH’s winning team and senior members engaged in a rigorous and intense discussion regarding the legalization of illicit drugs, ultimately persuading the audience with their compelling arguments. Both students expressed their best efforts during this competition.
“Public Forum (PF) is a two versus two debate. Students are given time in advance to prepare cases for the topic before the tournament. In order to qualify for the PF State Championship, a team must compete in their local league (in this case SDIVSL) and the top 7 teams are chosen to advance to the state tournament and represent their local league,” Molina said.
The contest, famous for its challenging topics and standards, provides a chance for students to showcase their debating skills on various current issues. Tackling subjects that ranged from the ban of single-use plastic to the U.S. government’s forgiveness of student loan debt. The synchronized approach and seamless teamwork captivated the attention of both the judges and the audience which set BVH teams apart from the other competitors.
“We really enjoyed debating the single-use plastic ban because [International Baccalaureate Environmental Societies, and Advanced Placement Environmental Science teacher] Jennifer Ekstein’s lectures really gave Morgan and I the upper hand. Not only that, we dived deeper into environmental justice and researched how plastic pollution disproportionately impacted marginalized communities, something we felt proud of bringing to light throughout the debate,” Molina said.
In a thrilling display of intellectual prowess, Molina and Murphy left a lasting impression at the tournament. The tournament, hosting schools from across San Diego county, witnessed intense competition, but it was the dynamic partnership of Molina and Murphy that stole the spotlight.
“Capri’s dedication to being the best is really impressive. She puts in the effort to research, make strong arguments, and improve our presentation skills. She works hard on every part of our preparation, motivating all of us with her diligence. Her careful focus on the little things makes sure that we aren’t just taking part, but that we are strong competitors in every debate we do,” Murphy said.
Following thorough preparation, a pair from BVH emerged victorious in the league championship, showcasing their school and team with pride. Junior Capri Molina, one of the triumphant juniors, expresses her emotions on being crowned champion.
“Initially, I was taken aback when [Speech and Debate advisor Eric] Helle looked us dead in the eye and said we were tournament champions. It was like a wave of gratitude hit me. All the hard work that so many mentors, peers and my entire team had committed to was coming to the surface. I really took pride in representing my team as a tournament champion,” Molina said.
In addition, the improving BVH teams will continue to prepare for their upcoming debates, occurring over the next few weekends. These events will provide more team members with other opportunities to qualify. Giving them a chance at being crowned victorious.
“You control what you can control. You change what you can change, but you need to accept all of life’s unchangeable and unknowable circumstances, such as what judge you have, what opponents you’re facing. The only things that you really have under your control are the preparation that you put into your events, the mental practice and the mental poise necessary to get through your rounds. And when you can do that, you’re going to be in the hunt for great things not only in speech and debate, but in life as well,” Helle said.
Murphy and Molina credit a large portion of their triumph to the guidance and wisdom given to them by their coaches and former teammates. After enduring countless hours of intense practice and working together, they not only mastered the technical aspects of debate but also embraced the values of teamwork and fair play. The experienced advice and strategic perspectives from their coaches acted as a guiding light, leading Murphy and Molina through the maze of complex arguments and difficult subjects they faced during the championship.
“Past alumni and mentors in Speech and Debate, like Giselle Geering and Lannah Garcia have always pushed me to become my best self as a debater. Learning from my mentors helped me grow immensely as a speaker, especially because they both taught me a balance between staying composed and using emotion when I’m debating,” Molina said.
As the tournament progressed, BVH teams faced tougher competition. Their dedication to research and passion was evident in every round, and their commitment to excellence propelled them to the championship’s final stages. The companionship and shared passion for debate not only propelled them to success but also inspired their peers and coaches.
“Anyone can advocate for justice, whether that be high school students or lawmakers, this is our community and we should stand up against injustices that occur in it,” Murphy said.
As the curtains fell on the tournament, the spirit of Molina and Murphy were still felt all around. Their undefeated season inspired future debaters, proving that expressiveness, readiness, and collaboration truly make a difference. United in their goals, this pair promised to keep moving forward, determined to leave a lasting mark of greatness in the speech and debate community.
“I’m very proud of them. I anticipated all year long for them to be in that position, and they got the job done as expected,” Helle said.
