On Dec. 13, the Gabrielino Speech and Debate team competed at the Fall Varsity Tournament at Arcadia High School. As the first league competition of the season, the tournament allowed team members to showcase their events and earn potential legs to the State Tournament.
Leading up to the tournament, the team spent the semester refining speeches—brushing up on delivery, memorizing scripts, and timing performances—to prepare for high-level competition.
Seniors Carter Mak, Owen Dowell, Valerie Leung, and Natalia San Lucas collaborated as team captains to ensure members were prepared. Before competing, students are required to complete “Sign Offs,” a process that confirms readiness through a coach evaluation.
“You’re watched by a coach to make sure that you’re on time and prepared,” said Dowell. “So that was the most definite preparation.”
Beyond logistics, the captains also focused on team morale.
“Leading up to the tournament, we had lunch performances on Thursday, so we made sure everyone was hyped and ready,” Mak said.
At the tournament, many competitors ran through and timed their speeches one final time before performing in front of judges. Given the high stakes, team rituals played a key role in building confidence. Event leaders handed out goodie bags and gave motivational speeches to their teammates.
Senior Cedric Hua emphasized leadership over competition. “I was focused on the leadership aspect—making sure everyone is ready and in the right headspace to perform,” he said.
For many varsity competitors, the tournament was also a shot at earning a “leg to state.”
“It’s the first time many varsity members get to compete at a league tournament,” Mak said. “One unique thing is that if you get first or second place at Fall Varsity, you get a leg to state.”
Two legs are required to auto-qualify for the State Tournament. The second leg can be earned by placing first or second at the Spring Varsity Tournament. Competitors who earn two legs bypass the State Qualifying Tournament.
Hua explained that previous experiences motivated him to aim higher. “At previous tournaments, I didn’t do too well, so that pushed me to try to achieve better placements this time around.” He went on to place third in Declamation, also known as Oral Interpretation.
Even under pressure, students found joy in performing. “I was trying to get out of the mindset that everything has to be perfect and to have fun, because that’s when my best speeches are given,” Hua said.
The Screamin’ Eagles won the league sweepstakes award, with the team earning more than 14 legs to state.
