“Speech is power. Speech is to persuade, to convert, to compel.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

The Brecksville Broadview Heights High School Speech and Debate team went to the Ohio state tournament to compete against qualified schools from all over the state, leaving with 13 members and having several state alternatives . 

“It feels amazing! Qualifying for States after a whole season of work is the best feeling ever because simply just being there is a huge accomplishment in itself. This is my 3rd year qualifying for states, and the excitement stays the same,” said Elianna Gamboa, a junior who has been in Speech and Debate for 5 years.  

Elianna Gamboa, who performed a Program Oral Interpretation speech at the district tournament, was one of six to compete and become a state qualifier. Her speech was about “hustle culture” and how having a mindset of constant productivity can be harmful to humans. In addition to Speech and Debate, Elianna is involved in Key Club, marching band, National Art Honors Society, National Honors Society, Art Club and Chinese Club. 

Not only was she qualified to compete at the state level, but Gamboa was a quarter finalist in her Program Oral Interpretation speech at states alongside Gabrielle Logelin, a senior who placed for her Informative Speaking speech.

The BBHHS Talking Bees placed 9th in the state out of 79 teams.  The Talking Bees had 5 members who ended up becoming state finalists, Colette Sarli-Freeman, Mikayla Kamm, James Patrick, Jadon Gamboa and Garret Travers, a senior, who won his 2nd consecutive state title in Original Oratory.

Mikayla Kamm, a senior and member of Orchestra, placed 6th in Humorous Interpretation.  “I practiced a ton, made sure I was ready to perform a lot over the course of a few days,” Kamm said.

Jadon Gamboa, senior, said he spent hours upon hours practicing annunciations with a pencil, and experimenting ways to be more of himself and ending up state runner up in Humorous Interpretation.

Hamsika Totapally, a sophomore who is in her first year of Speech and Debate said if you ever find yourself asking if you should join Speech and Debate the answer is, “Yes definitely! The team is amazing and it’s like a family. You get a lot of feedback and it’s all so much fun.” .