• The Story of the Tyrone Speech and Debate Team and the ‘Great Debate’!

    It all began when the Tyrone Speech and Debate Team checked into the exquisite Rosen Centre Hotel in Orlando, Fl into rooms fit for a king! The packed weekend kicked off in Ballroom A, with a meet and greet, ice cream social, and dance party. They had ‘big screens,’ a DJ, and dancers adorned with lights that were 10 feet tall. My guess is that they were on stilts, like you see at the circus. The ice cream social was more like a buffet, with other snacks and drinks to choose from. 

    Saturday morning, we made our way to Lake Buena Vista High School, where close to 500 competitors (from 72 different schools all over Florida and from out-of-state) were seen practicing their ‘Impromptu Speech’ skills. This was the first category of the day. During each round, judges were provided with an envelope with printed-out topics. The topics consisted of Civil Rights, Martin Luther King Jr. Quotes, and Fanciful Hypothetical Scenarios.

    Each competitor picked 3 topics (face down), and out of the three decided on one. Seven minutes was all the competitors had to prepare on a notecard and give their speech. Three rounds later and it was lunchtime!

    The afternoon looked a little different than the morning, but the momentum kept going! Tyrone Team prepped for the next category: Legislative (Congressional) Debate. Legislative (Congressional) Debate sessions must be a minimum of 90 minutes and maximum of 120 minutes. We were ready! Parliamentary procedure? Check! Presiding officer? Check! Mock Senators and Representatives ready to debate? Check! Floor action as seen in a Legislative Session in Tallahassee? Check! 

    The Tyrone Team prepared for weeks for the Legislative (Congressional) Debate. Working together, the team analyzed bills (possible laws), created speeches, researched, and were ready to debate. Two rounds later and the night wrapped up with a taco buffet, with all the fixins’, at the hotel. After a jam-packed day, it was time to retire back to our rooms for the night. 

    Sunday morning came quickly, and the team was ready to go! Today’s agenda: Extemporaneous Debate. Participants were given 30 minutes to prepare their case after receiving the topic. During this preparation time, they could research and organize their thoughts. Participants wrote their speeches in such a way that it would support their arguments with relevant evidence, statistics, examples, and quotations from credible sources. They also provided citations for their evidence to demonstrate credibility and allow for fact-checking. The debate rounds went very quickly!  There were proposition and opposition speeches, followed by cross examinations and rebuttals. Topics included Elections, the Environment, and Food. Don’t be fooled, these topics were extremely tough!!!  Team Tyrone was up for the challenge! 

    Just when we thought we were finished for the evening, the Florida Civics and Debate Initiative surprised everyone, and I mean EVERYONE, with a trip to SeaWorld Theme Park. The Tyrone Team rode roller coasters, saw animals at the park, and wrapped it up with dinner. 

    Monday was the BIG day for awards! Who would go home a winner?  We all had breakfast together and then the awards show was next!  We were not only able to have one of our OWN in the top 30 for Impromptu (congrats to 8th-grader, Isabella Machado), but we ultimately knew we were all going home winners!!!  That day, the team learned that winners are those with the best winning attitude. They are the ones who focus on optimism, improvement, future opportunities, and gratitude. 

    The Florida Department of Education—Florida Speech and Debate Initiative put on a fantastic and unforgettable event, and the Tyrone Team is extremely grateful and can’t wait to return next year! 

    In attendance this January 2025: Coach: Ms. Roberts.  8th grade competitors: Isabella Machado and Selena Heric. 7th grade competitors: Nathaniel Haines, Hailey Walsh, Emiline Dupont. Judges for the competition and representatives of the Tyrone Speech and Debate Team: Ms. Yore (Tyrone social studies teacher), and team parent Jenni Huffman (team member Emma Huffman-Jones was in attendance as well). Parents that joined: Jerry Haines, Seily Machado, Jonna Mccune, Jasmine Tracey and Sofia Heric.