The Mount Pleasant High School Speech and Debate team competed at the Longhorn Classic on the campus of The University of Texas at Austin on December 2-4. The tournament featured 111 schools from 10 states. MP Speech and Debate took six team members who competed in three different categories and brought home two medals.

In Lincoln Douglas debate, senior Anthony Orellana made history, becoming the first MPHS team member to advance to Octafinals in that event. The field began day one with 160 competitors. Orellana defeated opponents from Southlake Carroll, St. Mary’s Hall, St. Agnes, and Plano East for a 4-2 record and a 22nd seed out of prelims. He then defeated competitors from The Greenhill School and Westwood and was finally eliminated by an opponent from Prospect High School in California. He finished in the top 16 out of 160 for his final appearance at the Longhorn Classic. The placement also secured the final points he needed to qualify for the Texas Forensic Association (TFA) State Tournament in March. Junior Angelina Hernandez and sophomore Gopi Amin also competed in LD with each picking up wins and valuable national level experience.

In Individual Events, senior Madeline Tumey-Simmons medaled as a quarterfinalist in Oral Interpretation. The field began day one with 84 competitors. After prelims, Tumey-Simmons finished in the top 32, just narrowly missing advancing to semifinals by one rank in her final appearance at the Longhorn Classic. Newcomer Elijah Rider also competed in Oral Interpretation, seeing success in his very first national level tournament. Senior Merlin Cardona competed in Congressional Debate, gaining valuable experience and practice for UIL State.

MP Speech and Debate will compete in one final tournament before Christmas break then will turn their attention to the UIL State Congressional meet in January.

Photo: MPHS Speech and Debate team members at UT Austin (L to R): Gopi Amin, Angelina Hernandez, Anthony Orellana, Madeline Tumey-Simmons, Elijah Rider, Merlin Cardona