Forensic Excellence by Zyias Richards by Zyias

Forensic Excellence by Zyias Richards by Zyias - June 2025 Scholarship Essay

An extracurricular activity that should be a requirement for all students, especially as we begin to develop and go out into the world, is speech and debate. Now, you may be wondering – speech and debate? The academic sport where you get a topic and you defend your point of view, while defeating your opponent with clear cut and convincing argumentation? Yes, that speech and debate! However, debate is not limited to argumentation crafting. In fact, the speech side is often overlooked. If you were a theater kid like me, you would understand the need for self-expression. The speech side allows you to craft thought-provoking pieces such as speeches, monologues, duo performances, and poetry. All that provides a rich opportunity for storytelling.

Speech and debate have given me so much confidence in advocating for myself and others. It has given me the tools to be a servant leader on the campus of Texas Southern University. I have given oratorical presentations to congressional and community leaders to celebrate the vibrancy of the city of Houston and shed light on important social issues. Being a leader is the very culture that gives our campus pride.

Speech and debate can improve your public speaking and discipline by meeting assignment deadlines and preparing for competition. As well as giving you a professional edge that many take years to develop. Be it leadership where you make those in your organization feel seen and heard. Be it time management, because if you know, like I know, if you procrastinate on finishing assignments and/or your pieces for debate competition it causes avoidable stress.

The beauty of speech and debate is that it gives many students transferable skills, which can be used in the professional world. Business professional and business casual is the uniform. Something that the World-renowned Texas Southern University Debate Team knows something about. Yes, that debate team!

I have had the unmatched pleasure of not only competing in forensic tournaments but coming back home with some hardware. Be it first place trophies or experiences like going to South Korea and coming back an international champion is not something to wince at. This is why, I believe, speech and debate should be a requirement in academic study. When you sharpen your ability to speak, no one can debate your future successes.

Thank you for the esteemed opportunity.