12 The QUEE NS Courier • kids & education • march 28, 2013 for breaking news visit www.queenscourier.com kids & education s CTK SPEECH AND DEBATE: Gearing up for state championships BY MAGIE HAYES [email protected] Christ the King’s Speech and Debate team is taking their talents on the road -- right to the state championships. Several qualifiers made the cut after placing top spots in each category at a recent tournament, and now students are getting ready to compete outside the region. In years past, members of the team have qualified for the state competition. However, this year is the first year they have earned mentions in all four divisions, which include Speech, Student Congress, Public Forum Debate and Lincoln Douglas Debate. Notably so, they are also the only school in the league to earn these merits. For many, the team serves as a creative outlet to express opinions on a variety of subjects. It is this passion that is credited for allowing them to compete at the state level. “Speech and debate is a lot more than what people think of it,” said Mya Pugh, a senior at Christ the King. “It’s fun, it’s creative, it’s expression.” The students who qualified are at work preparing in their respective categories. Pugh, who specializes in Speech, is preparing to expose truths about food that we eat every day. Students in speech can choose any topic that they want, and must deliver a cohesive, informative presentation. For debate, members work for months on a certain topic, covering pros and cons. From the team, six students have qualified for the state championships, with five alternates. “I’m a little nervous because it’s such a big tournament,” said Pugh. “But I’m also not nervous because I know that we’ve worked hard throughout the year and that whatever happens, we’ve done our best.” To be at their best, the team has practiced twice a week for up to four hours. “We’re all from different backgrounds and have different personalities,” she said. “It’s a great variety of people put in one place.” Their several coaches are mainly made up of alumni, including current college students who recently graduated from the team. Although students have qualified for state in the past, Pugh believes that this year is different. “There are so many more people who are committed, really participating within the team and putting in so much effort,” she said. The state championships will take place on April 13. National championships, which Pugh and other students hope to qualify for as well, will be held in May. PHOTO COURTESY OF CHRIST THE KING Members of Christ the King’s Speech and Debate team qualified to compete in the state championships on April 13. This is the first year the team earned mentions in every category. Photo Courtesy J.C. Albano Bobby Jackson took some time to sign autographs and pose for cameras with students of Martin Luther School in Maspeth. FORMER JETS PLAYER A GUEST SPEAKER Martin Luther School in Maspeth hosted a college fair on Friday, March 15. Ex-Jet and current Modell’s Community Ambassador Bobby Jackson was the special guest speaker.
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