Cross Roads ISD press release
The Cross Roads High School Speech and Debate team is making history in it’s inaugural season. The team competed at the Lindale Texas Forensics Association Speech and Debate Tournament on Saturday, Sept. 27. The team was crowned second place overall in the Novice Debate Division as they competed against over 500 students representing 33 schools from N – 20 of those schools included large schools classified as 4A-6A. Cross Roads is a 2A school district.
Juniors Luke Carnes and Katie Harris finished the tournament with a second place finish in Cross-Examination Debate after posting a 5-1 record on the day. Some of the schools they defeated along the way included Longview, Lindale, and Richardson Berkner. Moreover, freshmen Julia Harris and Taylor Long finished the tournament with a 3rd place finish in Public Forum Debate.
Additionally, several students advancing past preliminary rounds included four students named semi-finalists in Extemporaneous Speaking and two students named as finalists in Congressional Debate. Students attending the tournament included Juniors Luke Carnes, LaTrae Chaney, Rachael Cooper, Katie Harris, Sophomore Justin Yachinich, Freshmen Julia Harris, Taylor Long, Chelsea Baker, Gabrielle Loden, Phoenix Slayter, and junior high student Kaden Mattingly.
“I’m so proud of our inaugural speech and debate team at Cross Roads High School. I’m so excited to see the students’ continued progress and growth as they work toward their end-of-the-year goals day after day,” Debate Coach Chris Dickson said. “I’m so excited for the opportunities that await these amazing students.”