1. What did you do directly after high school? / What are you currently doing?
I am currently studying Political Science and Public Relations at the University of Florida.

Starting in the fall, I will be working as the Social Media Intern for the Alachua County

Democratic Executive Committee, and as a contributing author for Prism, the official

magazine for UF’s Honors Program.

2. Tell us about any awards, interesting adventures, etc. since you graduated high school.
The skills that I learned during my time in the NCFCA have given me a number of great

opportunities. In the summer of 2012, I was selected to be a Delegate to American Legion Boys

Nation, a prestigious leadership program in Washington D.C. I also received the University of Florida’s Lombardi-Stamps Scholarship, the most prestigious undergraduate scholarship the school offers. As part of that program, I spent the summer of 2013 studying in Merida, Mexico. 

More recently, last school year I competed with the University of Florida Individual Events team, and received 1st Place in Impromptu Speaking at the Florida Intercollegiate Forensics Association State Championship and 1st Place in Extemporaneous at the American Forensics Association District VI Championship.

3.. What is your favorite memory from your time in Legacy and the NCFCA?
Every year after Regionals, the Region 8 debaters who qualified for Nationals (or R8 DB8ers, as we called ourselves) would meet together and begin strategizing for Nationals. No matter who qualified, and whether we were friends or rivals during the season, we would all come together and work to make sure the other debaters from our Region succeeded. The camaraderie that we built during those meetings helped carry us through the tournament, and helped many of us do very well competitively. 

4. How has doing speech and debate impacted who you are and what you are doing today?
Debate taught me how to form and support arguments, and Speech taught me how to present those arguments in a way that people are more likely to accept. As I look to get into the field of PR, both of those skills are going to be extremely important. Additionally, learning debate Cross-Examination has greatly improved my interview skills, both in asking and answering questions. 

5. What is your message for those currently involved in speech and debate?

Make sure that you’re doing speech and debate for the right reasons. Trophies and titles are awesome, but this activity is really about learning valuable skills and life lessons.

6. What is your message for those considering adding speech and debate to their life? 

If you’re on the fence about doing speech and debate, make sure that speech and debate is something that you’re willing to commit a lot of time, money, and energy to. It’s a lot of fun, but it’s also a lot of work.

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