SWHS Debaters Place at State, National Tournaments

Angel Ramirez (left) and Carlos Diaz at the NSDA national tournament

Spring Woods High School Speech and Debate was the only Spring Branch ISD high school with students placing in state or national tournaments – the UIL state competition, the Texas Forensic Association, the Tournament of Champions and the national tournament of the National Speech and Debate Association.

Students compete in local tournaments and must win there in order to advance to other tournaments, where they then compete with students from across the state and country.

The duo interpretation team of Angel Ramirez and Carlos Diaz advanced to the top 60 out of 242 teams at the National Speech and Debate Association tournament in June, in Salt Lake City. The duo took first place at the Texas Forensic Association tournament and at the Tournament of Champions earlier this year.

Travis Boyd placed 15th out of 233 competitors in congressional debate, after “four rigorous days of competition,” said teacher Victoria Beard, at the National Speech and Debate Association tournament.

Travis Boyd and Christine Vo at the NSDA national tournament

Christine Vo was one of six finalists selected for Student of the Year at the National Speech and Debate tournament. Each speech and debate district in the U.S. nominates an outstanding student, then a committee selects six from the hundreds of candidates. Vo was interviewed, videotaped and recognized as one of the finalists national tournament.

In May, Vo placed second in persuasive speaking and Boyd placed third in informative speaking at the UIL State Tournament.

Angel Ramirez will be attending Trinity University this fall, as will Travis Boyd, who will be on the debate team. Carlos Diaz and Christine Vo will attend UT-Austin, where both will be on the speech and debate team.