Hundreds of students to participate in SAUSD Speech & Debate Middle School Tournament Jan. 20

The program has grown to serve 600 students and sent a delegation to the National Speech and Debate competition for the first time in 2017, where five students placed nationally.

Hundreds of students from the Santa Ana Unified School District’s (SAUSD) national award-winning Speech and Debate team will showcase their skills during the upcoming Speech & Debate Middle School Tournament this weekend.

Under the leadership of Sal Tinajero, SAUSD Communication Program Specialist, the program has grown to serve 600 students and sent a delegation to the National Speech and Debate competition for the first time in 2017, where five students placed nationally.

The district’s successful Speech and Debate program began at the intermediate school level and has since grown to include elementary and high school students as well.

“We have made a clear commitment to prepare our students for college and career success. Our Speech and Debate program has proven to equip our students with the experiences, mindsets, and skills necessary to prepare them for higher education and beyond,” said Valerie Amezcua, President of the Santa Ana Unified School District Board of Education.

The district’s Speech and Debate program receives special support from the Kiwanis Club of Santa Ana, which has been involved with the program since its inception.

The Speech & Debate Middle School Tournament takes place from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, January 20, 2018 at Santa Ana High School, 520 W. Walnut St., Santa Ana, CA 92701.