The smell of hard work radiates from an empty room in the large school. On the computer screen is the zoom loading screen. As partners prepare to talk over the information for the competition, they are joined by their competitive partners and their judge. Now in separate rooms, each pair is forced to compete in a COVID-infested world and must communicate miles away from each other. 

There are currently 50-60 students in speech and debate program at the school. One of those students is Senior Haleigh Wilson. Wilson has been in Speech and Debate since her freshman year. In every event, each student is partnered up with another member from their school.

“When preparing for a competition, I communicate a lot with my partner Abigail,” Wilson said in an email. “We spend time writing and talking over our cases.” 

Since Freshman year Wilson has received a Varsity Letter in Speech and Debate. In her freshman year, she received three awards, including a first-place trophy. Also in her freshman year, Wilson and her partner Abigail were champions at the Van Horn Tournament. In her sophomore year, she won two awards. In her junior year, she won the first team all-conference in public forum debate. Wilson received a 4th place trophy and was awarded in extemporaneous speaking. She has also won various team awards over the years. Through her accomplishments, she has earned compliments.

“Haleigh has been a member of high integrity and always helps other team members, especially our novice,” Speech and Debate Coach Mr. Bobby Phelps said over email.

Before COVID, Speech and debate would travel to a different school and compete in the same room. Now, the member is not allowed to be in the same room as their partners. They now record speech events a week ahead so the judges will have the time to judge each competitor. However, that doesn’t stop each member from helping each other when needed.

“She has made such a positive impact on our debate team, not only helping me take home several trophies as a team, but also helping her peers get cases and evidence for debate,” Senior Abigail McCluskey said over email.

A part of speech and debate is knowing what is going on around us in the world. If a competitor has inaccurate information of made-up information it can cause the team to look foolish and they might end up losing. If each member doesn’t remember what they’re talking about, the topic at hand could get off track.

“Practice is super important for speech and debate,” Wilson said over email.

After the competition ends, the judge says goodbye to Wilson and McClusky. Each partner exits the zoom and Wilson sighs in relief. She had felt that all her hard work paid off.