On January 6th, 2018, the Malden High Speech and Debate team competed at the Newton South Winter Festival in Newton, Massachusetts. The group that attended consisted of, seniors Harrison Zeiberg and Sherley Maxmin, juniors Makesha Mercedat and Jenny Chen, sophomores Matt Mijares and Rasmee Ky, and freshmen Gabriel Matnog and Suiyenah Chen.
The Speech and Debate team competes in different events recognized by the Massachusetts Speech and Debate League at tournaments against other schools around the state. There are events for speech such as children’s literature and group discussion while there are events for debate like public forum debate. Zeiberg, the co-president, competed in two speech events, radio broadcasting and impromptu. He stated that “the [team] did very good overall and there were two people who got bids to go to state finals, those being [Matnog] and [ Maxmin]”.
The team advisor, MHS history teacher, Kurtis Scheer enjoyed the event as he judged events in his alma mater, Newton South High. Jenny Chen competed in a public forum debate which is “a giant leap as [she] has only competed in poetry at the other tournaments [she’s] been to.” Jenny believes that Newton South was definitely the most exhausting tournament the team has been to as the team usually comes home “screaming on the bus ride home”, but this time, [they] were practically sleeping on the bus.
The Newton South Winter Festival, along with the other tournaments, allowed the members to test their skills, whether it is speech or debate. Brendon Ky, the co-president, did not attend the tournament but still believed the team did great. Ky, who has competed in previous tournaments, usually competes in student congress which is far different from a speech or debate event.
Suiyenah Chen, who competed in poetry thought the tournament had some exciting aspects and said “it was a fun but competitive tournament”. Chen mentioned that she had met some nice people and she looks forward to competing in the next one. Mijares believes that his performance at the tournament are “building blocks to help him achieve what he wants”.
The Speech and Debate Team meets in B340 every tuesday after school from 2:20-3 pm. Any student who is interested in joining is welcome to come.
The MHS Speech and Debate Team will be attending the Mardi Gras Festival at Shrewsbury High in early April 2018 to compete and hopefully win.
