Need a new hobby that’s not only fun but also beneficial? There’s no debate: Speech and Debate might be for you!

Speech and Debate has been a club at Beaver Area School District for more than two decades. The club gives middle school and high school students the opportunity to exercise their public speaking skills while still managing to have fun.

Mrs. Jessica Hill, the current sponsor of the Speech and Debate team, was a state champion herself. She won the 2000 state championship in impromptu speaking. She, too, was a very shy student.

She stated, “I went from not even being able to order in a restaurant for myself in middle school to really getting out of my comfort zone and enjoying public speaking.”

Through participating in the club, while a student at Pine-Richland High School, Mrs. Hill was able to conquer her fear of public speaking. She’s now an English teacher in the middle school and is inspiring students every day to break out of their public speaking fears.

Speech and Debate is recommended for all students. There are multiple categories available: Oratory, Humorous Interpretation, Duo, Poetry, and Debate. There’s something for anyone interested in joining.

Even better: all club fees are covered by the school.

On competition days, you must meet the bus/van in the parking lot in front of the auditorium. From there, you will be provided transportation to and from the competition.

Currently, there are around 10 to 15 members, but the team is on the lookout for more. There have been as many as 30 members in past years, and Mrs. Hill would love for it to be like that again. The more the people, the more competitions the team can participate in.

Many Beaver Area participants have won. Juniors Amara Stewart, Madilyn Hamilton, and Olivia St. Esprit, and graduate Devika Singh are all recognizable Speech and Debate participants. St. Esprit has been a member for almost five years and she’s only a Junior.

St. Esprit stated, “It’s a lot of fun! This is the longest club I’ve been involved in. It teaches you a lot of public skills and I get to have a great time with my friends. I love how everyone on the team is working together for a common goal.”