The 13th Annual Speech & Debate Tournament will take place on Saturday, March 9, 2024.
The first Region XVI Speech and Debate Tournament was first held in March of 2010 and has since become an annual event. More than 200 sixth-twelfth grade migrant students compete in the local tournament every year and approximately 34 first place winners go on to compete in the State Speech and Debate Tournament in May (when a state tournament is held). Students begin to prepare for the tournament as early as December at their respective schools in small group instruction. The Speech and Debate Tournament offers migrant students an opportunity to compete academically in a safe and supportive environment. The tournament requires migrant students to sharpen their critical thinking, research and public speaking skills. In addition students must carefully organize information to develop compelling arguments and clearly express their thoughts and ideas grounding them in credible sources. Finally, the Speech and Debate Tournament fosters teamwork and self-confidence and teaches students to resolve conflicts using thoughtful and strategic language.
Coaches attend professional development sessions in December at which they explore the speech and debate topics, participate in mock debates and practice speeches, and gain knowledge on numerous tools, strategies and techniques to utilize during preparation sessions with students. Students attend a one-day regional training in January designed to build self-confidence, motivate learning, and expose them to specific techniques to guide their research and development of their topic.
In May 2024, Region XVI has the honor of hosting the 10th Annual State Migrant Speech and Debate Tournament. Migrant students from across the state of California will come to Monterey, representing their schools, in the hopes of taking a few trophies back home.
For more information, please email Esther P. Medina, emedina@montereycoe.org.