MIDLAND - Stanton High School and Grady High School participated in the UIL Congressional Debate, Regional Tournament on Nov. 10 at the Region 18 Service Center in Midland.
UIL Congress is an individual contest in a large group setting. It models the legislative process of democracy, specifically, the United States Congress. Within this mock legislative assembly competition, contestants draft legislation (proposed laws and position statements) submitted to the tournament, and they research the docket of bills and resolutions dealing with real-world social and political policies prior to the contest to prepare their speeches.
At the tournament, students caucus in committees, deliver formal discourse on the merits and disadvantages of each piece of legislation, and vote to pass or defeat the measures they have examined. Parliamentary procedure forms structure for the discourse, and students extemporaneously respond to others’ arguments over the course of a session.
This is the first year Stanton has participated in UIL Congress.
Competitiors for Stanton were senior Stephen Sirois, junior Isaiah Ramos, and freshman Andrea Ellington. Sirois won first place in Confrence 3A and Ramos placed fourth. Sirois qualified for the State Congress competition and Ramos is the alternate to state.
Grady is no stranger to UIL Congress having performed well in recent years and dominating this year’s Conference A taking five of the top six places.
Junior Jessi Everett finished first followed by junior Ashlynn Peugh in second and junior Delaney Saunder in third.
Sophomore Samantha Griffin finished fourth and sophomore Briley Harrell finished sixth.
Grady was the team Sweepstakes winner and Peugh was awarded Top Presiding Officer for Conerences 1-3A.
Everett, Peugh, and Saunders qualified to compete at the State Congress competition.
The 9th Annual State Congress in Austin is tentatively scheduled for Preliminary Congress on Jan. 11, and Super Congress on Jan. 12.