San Diego County Students Excel at Migrant Education State Speech and Debate Tournament

Fourteen San Diego County students earned 16 trophies at the recent Migrant Education State Speech and Debate Tournament, including nine first place awards. The Region 9 team competed against nearly 300 students in grades 6 through 12 at the annual awards. In total, the team brought home 20% of the awards given out.

Students compete by grade level in prepared and extemporaneous speech delivered in either English or Spanish. Working with coaches, students develop two individual orations and prepare for two extemporaneous speeches assigned by tournament staff on the day of the event. With 10 minutes to prepare, participants speak for two minutes on a topical issue such as the benefits of artificial intelligence.

“Participating in events such as these helps students develop expertise that they can take with them on their educational journey and into the workforce,” says Elisa Ayala, senior director for migrant education at the San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE). “It builds their confidence and self-esteem, and it allows them to graduate with specific skills, such as how to speak to someone they haven't met before or how to participate in an interview.”

Kimberly Morales, an 8th grade student at Guajome Park Academy, was nervous when she began competing three years ago. “I got involved in speech and debate because I was invited to participate but was unsure if that’s what I wanted to do,” she says. “I was nervous about speaking in public and interacting with people. I challenged myself to give it a chance and now I feel that maybe it was a life changer. It allowed me to shake off the nerves about public speaking. I feel I have grown in my confidence; I talk to more people and am able to explain myself through speech.”

That confidence paid off; this year, Kimberly won two state awards, including a first place with perfect scores for her prepared speeches in English and a second place in extemporaneous speech.

California is the only state to hold a migrant education speech and debate program, developed with the goal of allowing students from migratory families to find their voice and develop advocacy skills essential to college and career readiness.

All participants qualify for supplementary educational and support services for migratory children and youth provided by the federal government and administered by local education agencies such as SDCOE. Migratory children and youth are those who move seasonally with their parents or guardians who work in the agricultural, dairy, lumber, and fishing industries.

The program is one of many designed to create a sense of belonging for students who move often with their families to follow agricultural cycles. “We've really seen that this is a safe space for students,” says Ayala. “They know that every other kid there has a similar background to theirs. They don’t doubt for a minute that they belong.”

Coaches help students develop argumentative writing, counter arguments, and learn how to cite sources, along with presentation skills such as volume, tone, poise, and eye contact. Donations help outfit students in professional attire, cover meals, and provide transportation to state and local events.

For Ayala and her colleagues, success goes beyond the trophies students bring home — it’s reflected in the growth they witness every day. “It’s hard to put into words what it feels like to see students come out of their shells and speak in front of a group of adults,” she says. “This transformational experience provides them with something that makes them feel that they are important — that they are benefiting from a unique opportunity — and it's something that's helping them develop future skills.”

Read more and hear directly from students who participated in the Region 9 competition in the March issue of Inspire.