The Carson High School speech & debate team, from left, Sadie Share, Shaylin Segura, Sandro Figueroa and Shane Morton qualified for the Nationals in Dallas, Texas. Not pictured is team member Jacob Bertocchi.
Carson High School students recently returned from the National Speech and Debate Tournament, a week-long tournament in Dallas that brought about 3,000 students in competition in 10 main events. Carson High students competed in six rounds of competition and 14 hours of Congressional debate in their events.
“I loved competing with all of the greatest debaters from all over the nation, learning about how they speak, practice, write, and present their cases and what I can improve on to compete at the highest level,” said Shaylin Segura, who will be a junior this year.
Segura competed in Lincoln Douglas debate and won four judge ballots during the competition. Her teammate, Allesandro Figueroa, competed in Congressional Debate with a wide range of topics from foreign aid to a national sick day. Figueroa called the trip, “An amazing experience, which I will never forget. The week spent in Dallas was truly a valuable gem, which significantly advanced my debate skill set. The trip made me excited for next season, where I hope to cross apply many techniques I learned.”
Coach Patrick Mobley received his first diamond award during the tournament.
“Being on the stage with the national trophies was very exciting, and the moment was even better as several Nevada coaches were recognized,” Mobley said.
Once the competition was done for Carson, the team watched elimination rounds and judged the middle school national tournament. The team also visited the sixth floor museum, the Perot Science Museum, and the Dallas Holocaust Museum.
