Trion High School is welcoming the newest addition on the Hill, a Speech and Debate Club! THS is ecstatic to see the new implementation of student’s creativity, passion, and hard work flourish in a new club!
Students Abbie Stephens and Joce Mitcell, pushed for the club. The pair sparked the idea, after realizing that there is very little opportunity within the school to further public speaking, and vigorous research skills. So after several meetings with high school administration, THS speech and debate was born.
Mitchell stated, “ At first, Abbie and I talked about a debate team as a distant dream for our school, believing the club was unattainable due to lack of interest, time, and resources; however, after research and several late-night conversations, we discovered that the club could easily be formed as a branch of the national organization. Next, we talked to the admin, Mrs. Patterson, and jumped at the opportunity for an amazing supervisor, Mrs. Mills. I’m so thrilled to create this club and present students with the ability to develop critical thinking, public speaking, and problem solving skills!”
Mrs. Megan Mills is the teacher advisor, and she cannot wait to see what this new club will bring to the hill in the coming years! Mrs. Mills is extremely passionate about speech and debate, as she was a member of the debate team in her high school days!
“ I’m so happy to bring this opportunity back to THS. I have many fond memories of the debate team with Mr. Allen Hayes and feel honored to be a part of this program. Debate brings so many skills that will be invaluable in students’ future careers and lives,” stated Mills.
The ultimate goal for the club is to become a fully functioning debate team, with hope, competing against other teams next school year. Also in the works, is turning speech and date into a full-fledged class, for students to take time and truly learn the sometimes complicated process behind debate.
Good luck to those participating in speech and debate! THS cannot wait to see what will come from your hard work!
