The Mount Pleasant High School Congressional Debate Team competed in the Regional competition at Region VIII on Tuesday, November 5th. Competing against other 5A schools in our region, Mount Pleasant High School had a great showing. The team took 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th and 6th places in the competition. It was the first time Mount Pleasant would secure all three state advancing places as well as the first time for all Mount Pleasant competitors to medal at Regionals.
Sophomore Connelly Cowan was the Regional Champion with junior Ryan Sharp placing 2nd and senior Caroline Rose placing 3rd. Cowan, Sharp, and Rose will all advance to the state meet in January. It will be the second state appearance for Sharp and Rose while Cowan will be competing at state in Congress for the first time.
Juniors Taryn Thurman and Isabella Greco finished in 5th and 6th places making them the alternates to state.
UIL Congress is an individual contest in a large group setting. It models the legislative process of democracy, specifically, the United States Congress. Within this mock legislative assembly competition, contestants draft legislation (proposed laws and position statements) submitted to the tournament, and they research the docket of bills and resolutions dealing with real-world social and political policies prior to the contest to prepare their speeches. At the tournament, students caucus in committees, deliver formal discourse on the merits and disadvantages of each piece of legislation, and vote to pass or defeat the measures they have examined. Parliamentary procedure forms structure for the discourse, and students extemporaneously respond to others’ arguments over the course of a session.
“This was the first time in school history we swept the top 3 spots,” said MPHS Speech and Debate coach, Cody Morris. “These kids have really stepped up their effort this year and it shows. It is a coach’s dream to have a competitor give it their all and come out on top. I am very excited to compete at the State meet. I think all three of the students have a great chance to earn a state medal.”
Cowan, Sharp, and Rose will compete at State in Austin, January 13-15, 2020.
Pictured L to R
Front: Caroline Rose, Connelly Cowan, Ryan Sharp
Back: Isabella Greco, Coach Cody Morris, Taryn Thurman