Santa Ana Unified School District Intermediate Students Fall Novice Class Speech and Debate Tournament

Producing Our Leaders of Tomorrow through the Art of Speech and Debate

SANTA ANA, CA (October 3, 2016) – More than 300 intermediate students in the Santa Ana Unified School District will demonstrate their leadership and oratorical skills during the district’s Fall Novice Classic Speech and Debate tournament to be held October 7, 2016, from 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at McFadden Intermediate School, located at 2701 South Raitt Street in Santa Ana. “This is a great opportunity for our students to learn, be mentored, and to be supported by members of the community that have a keen interest in our students, leaders of tomorrow, succeeding,” said, Stefanie P. Phillips, Ed.D., Superintendent. Supported with the help of the Kiwanis Club of Santa Ana, students will have the opportunity to write and memorize speeches and perform them in front of an audience to bolster their confidence and academic success while creating a path toward college.

“Several studies have shown that there is a direct correlation between a child’s vocabulary and academic success which is critical for the Santa Ana Unified School District where 60% of the students are English learners. Through this tournament, students will expand their knowledge of the world around them and increase their English vocabulary which will directly impact their academic success,” said Sal Tinajero, SAUSD’s new Program Specialist.

“The Kiwanis continues to be supportive of education and of the students of SAUSD. We encourage our youth to learn how they can get involved with the schools as the Kiwanis has done for many years, and to support the student’s success,” said, Alfredo Amezcua, Kiwanis Committee Chair.

Students from nine of the district’s intermediate schools – Carr, Lathrop, MacArthur, McFadden, Mendez, Sierra, Spurgeon, Villa, Willard, and two K-8 Elementary Schools, Esqueda and Santiago – will compete in prose reading, persuasive speaking, poetry reading, duo acting, impromptu speaking and public forum debate.  Students will interpret literature from some of the best poets and authors of literary merit. The event is free, and open to parents, students, and members of the community.

If you are interested in covering this event, please contact Deidra Powell, Chief Communications Officer of the Santa Ana Unified School District at (714) 673-4995.