BajalaGracia

Stephen Roe

Each of our children are doing very well, but since Stephen is a senior this year and has accomplished some amazing things, I have to report it. Stephen has been involved in a competitive speech and debate league for the last two years and has progressed a great deal in his communication, analysis, and rhetoric skills. This year’s debate topic is on environmental policy and he is leading his club’s research effort. He has demonstrated some great leadership and originality in this effort producing great results in motivating his fellow teammates to achieve a great deal.

He is part of the winningest speech club in the nation last year (2009), so club standards are high. C.O.N.T.R.O.L. Speech and Debate Club is coached by two wonderful men who encourage the students and keep them clearly focused on glorifying God while developing their God-given abilities in a competitive league.

Stephen has had a remarkable speech season, competing in five different events in addition to his debate competitions. I don’t know if it has ever happened before, but from my history of watching tournaments over the last 3 years, usually those who do well in each tournament rotate during the season. With amazing consistency, Stephen has won overall tournament speech first place award at the last 4 of this year’s 5 major tournaments. Furthermore, he is currently ranked as the best overall speech and debate competitor in the nation, with 788 overall points (2nd place has 475). In the six events he competes in, he is nationally ranked as 1st in the nation in 2 of these events (Apologetics, Open Interp), 2nd in Duo Interp, 3nd in Humorous Interp, 4th in Impromptu, and 5th in the nation in Team Policy Debate. The national tournament will be held in San Diego this year in late May. Regardless of how he does, we’re extremely proud of him.