Speech and Debate at Cathedral High School has been a cornerstone of the school for many years, as it has helped students from diverse backgrounds build confidence and grow as individuals. The program welcomes each and every person, from those who are outgoing and love to debate over real-world issues to those who are on the quiet side and are looking to improve their public speaking skills.
Bailey Brownlow, a senior at Cathedral, has been competing since her freshman year. Growing as an individual alongside the upperclassmen as the years went by, she has seen countless students excel in their events. This year, Brownlow finally got the opportunity to accomplish what many of those students did in their senior year as well.
Not only did she advance to state, but she also won the Optimist Club Regional Oratory. Brownlow said, “Winning this award is an incredible honor for me. I was up against so many amazing young speakers and placing first and qualifying for state is definitely so special. Speech and Debate has been such a huge part of my life for so long that in some ways I think it was the perfect way to end my high school career.”
The Optimist Club Regional Oratory is open to individuals under the age of 19, who submit a speech based on the assigned topic. This year the topic was, “The Moment I Realized I Belonged — My Definition of Community.” With more than $150,000 in college scholarships funded that are then given annually throughout this contest, it was primarily created with the sole purpose of allowing students of all backgrounds the opportunity to speak to the world and to have their voice heard.
Students begin by competing in a club contest in their community and if won they then move on to compete in their zone. After this, they move on to districts which give students an opportunity to win a first-place scholarship of $2,500, second place scholarship of $1,500, and 3rd place scholarship of $1,000. The winners from the districts automatically qualify for the World Championships, and then move on to regionals. If they win regionals, they are awarded $5,000 and then qualify for the championship round, with the first-place spot winning $15,000 and a feeling of pride that nothing can shake off.
(Photo from Cathedral Instagram)
Beginning Speech and Debate in her freshman year, Brownlow knew it was something she wanted to do. Struggling with her voice and confidence in middle school, joining the club has allowed her to become not only a better speaker, but also a more confident and thoughtful person. The club has pushed her outside that comfort zone that kept her enclosed for so many years and allowed her to speak out even when the world around her may not be listening.
Brownlow said, “Over these last 4 years, I have learned to perform under pressure, speak with conviction about real-world issues, and communicate in a way that truly connects with people.”
Brownlow does Original Oratory and Poetry as her main events and practices with her team three days a week after school for two hours. Original Oratory is a 7-10 minute persuasive speech she memorizes regarding any topic, while Poetry is a 5-10 minute program that she puts together on the spot using excerpts from various poems.
Lenica Molina-Gomez, a Senior on Speech and Debate, said, “There are so many different events to choose from, so I think there is something for everybody based on their interests and what they are good at.”
On meet days, Brownlow and other Speech and Debate students meet at Cathedral early in the morning to head to the tournament together. Brownlow said, “A typical meet has four rounds to decide places and you will usually see upwards of 20 kids from various high schools competing in your event that day.”
As Brownlow finished giving her Oratory speech that would determine if she would advance to state, she wasn’t feeling too hopeful. She recalls that she wasn’t expecting to win and that when she realized she had won, it was a moment filled with mixed emotions. Her speech, composed of many of her own personal experiences as a young black woman in America, captivated the judges and propelled her to that first-place spot.
Brownlow said, “Some judges respond well when confronted with the raw realities of what it is to be a black woman in this country, while others are sometimes not quite ready to accept these truths. Regardless of my audience I know that my perspective is valuable and should be heard.”
As the announcer called out her name for first place, she wasn’t only proud of herself and all the work she had put in, but she was especially proud of the women before her who helped to pave the way for young girls like her. Brownlow said, “The strong black women whose history tried to silence and condemn, yet who never stopped believing in their voices and continued to fight to have them heard. I won that medal for them and for the Black girls of the future so that they never have to grow up believing that their voices are anything less than powerful, worthy, and meant to be heard.”
