Tuesday, November 14, five students headed to Midland for the Regional UIL Congressional Debate Tournament.
Congressional Debate models the legislative process of democracy, specifically, the United States Congress. Within this mock legislative assembly competition, contestants draft legislation (proposed laws and position statements) to submit to the tournament, and they research the docket of bills and resolutions dealing with real-world social and political policies prior to the contest to prepare their speeches. At the tournament, students caucus in committees, deliver formal discourse on the merits and disadvantages of each piece of legislation, and vote to pass or defeat the measures they have examined. Parliamentary procedure forms structure for the discourse which the presiding officer oversees.
Grady's students competing in the 1A Division. Senior Samantha Griffin was named the Regional Champion followed by Senior Briley Harrell as the Regional Runner Up. Freshman Buck Woodward finished fourth and was named the Top Presiding Officer in the 1A/3A Chamber. Grady's team rounded out with Freshman Logan Rodriguez in 5th and Sophomore Audrey Marler in 6th.
Griffin, and Harrell will be headed to the State UIL Competition in Austin January 9-11. These young ladies will compete in preliminary rounds with an opportunity to advance to Finals which are hosted at the State Capitol.