The Rebel Speech & Debate team participated in the University Interscholastic League (UIL) Regional competition, where their top Congressional Debaters received both awards and State Qualifications.
"How did you spend your Monday? Our Rebel Speech & Debate team sent our top Congressional Debaters to the UIL Regional competition where they swept the awards and the State Qualifications," wrote a representative from Rebel Speech & Debate in a Facebook post.
According to the post, Sawyer Austin won first place, Gianluca Amico won second place, and Kiah Trent won third place while also being recognized as the top presiding officer. Rylee Warren and Gabe Pitts were named state alternates after finishing in fifth and sixth places, respectively.
The UIL Congress Contest is described as a mock legislative assembly competition where participants draft legislation to submit to a tournament. Contestants are required to research real-world social and political policies prior to the contest to prepare speeches on the merits and disadvantages of each piece of legislation.
According to the Facebook post, the Young Women's Leadership Academy of Midland had an “impressive sweep” of the 3A classification category with all top five finishes coming from their school, including recognition for the top presiding officer.