Press release
Athens High School senior Michael Pulver finished his UIL career strong last week when he won the state championship in persuasive speaking. He bested more than 100 other persuasive speakers throughout the state in a year-long season of competition. Previously, Pulver advanced through the district, regional and ultimately the state tournament to win the gold medal.
Pulver is no stranger to success on the AHS Speech and Debate Team, as he also qualified to the regional tournament in Lincoln-Douglas Debate, barely missing the qualification to the UIL State tournament. He did, however, qualify to the Texas Forensics Association State Championship tournament in Lincoln-Douglas debate, domestic speaking, and international speaking — a triple qualification to the state tournament where the squad saw their best performance to date.
Pulver also qualified to the National Tournament in congressional debate, which will make it the second year in a row for him to attend that tournament. He also made an appearance in the top 32 at the University of Texas Invitational Debate Tournament, a highly competitive national competition of debate that features competitors from across the country.
Pulver intends to continue his speech and debate career at the University of North Texas, where he will be debating on scholarship this fall. He is coached by Director of Forensics Carver Hodgkiss and Athens High School Debate Mentor Nicole Cornish. Pulver’s championship makes the third state title this year for the Athens High School Speech and Debate Team, continuing a tradition of excellence for the program.