The UIL Congress team participated in the Region 9 congressional debate on Nov. 10.
Sophomore Adelyn Winter placed sixth.
“My mindset was to make sure I got up and spoke a lot,” Winter said. “I tried to ask many questions.”
Debate coach Leslie Graham said the team can grow while giving their speeches.
“I was surprised that our newcomers were as active in the chamber as they were,” Graham said. “They didn’t hesitate to ask questions. Now, it is just a matter of practice so that our speeches are more conversational rather than reading from a page.”
Freshman Kynleigh Schroeder said the debate team did not have their own docket this year, but they plan to make one next year.
“I want to get better in Congress by doing more speeches in the chamber,” Schroeder said. “We, as a team, could improve by doing our own docket and making more speeches.”
Eighth-placer and freshman Heather Schroeder acknowledged that there is room for improvement when asking questions.
“I did better on my speeches than I thought I would,” she said. “I did decent while asking questions, and I could’ve done better, but I still did well.”
Winter said she hopes to correct her speeches for next year to do better.
“By getting sixth place, I made myself proud of all my hard work,”

Winter said. “Now, everyone just needs to do more speeches and contribute more so we can improve.”

Debate coach Carol Cox said the team’s three pieces of legislation affected the team.
“Having three pieces of legislation accepted for debate really impressed me,” Cox said. “Winter did a fantastic job when she prepared legislation, as well as researching the information in her speeches. I am also pleasantly surprised that Heather Schroeder got eighth; eighth is great for a freshman.”
Overall, the Congress team was ready to give out their speeches. However, Cox says there are ways for the team to improve.
“The debaters need to practice giving their speeches more, so that they don’t just read their speeches but present them,” Cox said. “ If we can do that and prepare for any questions asked, we can definitely grow as a team.”
Heather Schroeder talked about the first struggles of getting into the chamber to speak and how her feelings changed after each defense.
“We need to work on our defenses and our questions.” Heather Schroeder said. “Getting up and talking was a big thing. I was really nervous to get up and talk, but after the first run through, it got easier.”