STUDENTS PLACE AT UIL CONGRESSIONAL DEBATE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

Cypress Creek student Daniel Lehmann, left, and Cy-Fair student Evan Ortiz stand in front of the Texas State Capitol at the UIL 6A Congressional Debate State Championship in January.

Two CFISD students placed as finalists at the UIL 6A Congressional Debate State Championship held at University of Texas at Austin in January.

Evan Ortiz of Cy-Fair High School and Daniel Lehmann of Cypress Creek High School reached the finals, known as “Super Congress,” after winning among the top students in the state in preliminary rounds. Overall, Ortiz placed 10th and Lehmann placed 14th in Texas. Ortiz is taught by debate coach Perry Beard, and Lehmann is taught by debate coach Dustin Kay.

In Congressional Debate, students participate in a mock legislative session where they consider the pros and cons of proposed bills following parliamentary procedure. They then vote on whether or not to pass these bills into law, acting as governmental representatives. The docket of items to be discussed is pre-released prior to the tournament, and students are expected to research both sides of every issue as they prepare speeches in support or negation. Issues typically cover a wide range of current events.

This year’s state meet legislation addressed topics ranging from childhood immunizations to the Syrian war. The state finals were debated in the chambers of the Texas State Capitol.

“UIL was an enriching experience, something that I will definitely remember,” Ortiz said. “The ability to compete with like-minded people in the Texas State Capitol is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. UIL fosters a unique experience on a personal and intellectual level that truly cannot be matched. UIL Congress was the best of both worlds for me. Combining congressional debate along with a sense of friendly competition to transform me as a person.”

“Competing in Student Congress has reinforced the idea that there is no single perspective that is the right perspective,” said Lehmann about his experience. “Having the opportunity to debate at the State Capitol truly emphasized the importance of public discourse, respectful debate and critical thinking.”

To attend the state meet, students had to place at regional tournaments in November. Ortiz and Lehmann qualified by placing second and sixth, respectively, out of nearly 80 regional contestants from the greater Houston area. The Houston regional tournament is one of the most competitive and “is by far the largest in the State of Texas,” said Jay Stubbs, a member of the UIL State Advisory Committee for Congressional Debate. There are 20 regions, and qualification to state depends on the size of entry in each contest. This year, the top seven students in Houston advanced to the state level.