Danielle Lopez, DHS Speech and Debate Head Coach, said that Speech and Debate is more than winning. It is about the family that they have created. It’s about showing effort, growth, and strength.

Lopez said that her team has never placed higher than 6th place at a competition. When she recently took the team to compete at the State competition, she knew someone would win, but she didn’t expect two people to win. 

Morgan Farmer and Shayla Curtis both won first place in their categories during the State competition. Farmer won first in Poetry and Curtis won first in POI, Program of Oral Interpretation. Farmer’s performance interprets a poem about a girl who falls in love with a soldier who dies in battle.

 “It was a really beautiful piece,” Lopez said. 

 Curtis’s performance gives a theme “drunk driver.” She acts out the different POVS of the people in the accident. She acts out the drunk driver, the mother who lost her son in the accident, and even a police officer. 

“These were very unique performances. They were definitely worthy of winning state,” 

said Joachim Jones, a sophomore at Delta High.

Morgan Farmer

How did it feel to win the state championship?

• “It felt amazing.”

When did you start Speech and Debate?

• “I started my Sophomore year.”

How did Speech and Debate affect your life? Was it a good or bad effect?

• “It had a good effect. It made me happier and more motivated.”

What would you say to someone considering joining Speech and Debate but is too scared to?

• “Do it, you only live once.”

What is the best thing that has happened in your Speech and Debate experience?

• “Probably winning and the family that we have.”

Shayla Curtis

How did it feel to win the state championship?

• “I was shocked. I was waiting for my name to be called and they didn’t call it, I was like, what? Then they called state championship winners and I heard my name. It was a shocking experience.”

When did you start Speech and Debate?

• “I started my freshman year.”

How did Speech and Debate affect your life? Was it a good or bad effect?

• “It had a good effect. It made me more confident and louder.”

What would you say to someone considering joining Speech and Debate but is too scared to?

• “Don’t let fear hold you back, just try it and see if you like it.”

What is the best thing that has happened in your Speech and Debate experience?

• “The team winning state.”