Migrant Education Program Shines at Speech and Debate Tournament

Lancaster , CA.- On Saturday, March 14, the Antelope Valley Migrant Education Program (MEP) participated in the Los Angeles County of Education (LACOE) Speech and Debate Regional Tournament. 

Students Itzel Carlos, Tania Rodriguez, Valerie Rodriguez (Palmdale High School), Brenda Davalos, Jefte Pulgarin (Eastside High School), Pamela Francisco (SOAR Lancaster), and Heidy Loza (Highland High School) represented AVUHSD in the tournament alongside neighboring districts with middle and high school students.

Three of these talented students competed in the English category which required two speeches– one prepared ahead of time and another to be done extemporaneously. They had to be mindful of the time limitations while they delivered their speeches. Senior Brenda Davalos got the highest combined points in both prepared and extemporaneous speech in English, and she will go on to represent the Antelope Valley Region at the state level in May. 

The high school Spanish debate team ended up in second place at the competition. While they won’t be advancing to the next phase, they will be cheering on the middle school Spanish team.

Students were nervous but excited to compete at the regional level once again. In the end, many of our students walked away with trophies for their hard work and dedication. Mrs. Karen Rasch-Herrera, a teacher at Antelope Valley High School, worked as the students’ coach and motivated them to do their best in the competition.

“This is my second year coaching [MEP] speech and debate, and I absolutely love it! I’m thankful to these students, their parents/guardians and our district leaders for helping make this event an amazing one,” said Rasch-Herrera. “I’m proud of the work all the students did, and I look forward to competing at the state level in May and doing it all over again next school year!”