By Aly Miranda
Very interested in debate and looking for a way to help not only himself, but others learn about it more, DATA junior, Matt Silvas has stepped up and taken the place as a speech and debate student leader for the fall this year, since the actual coach will be coming sometime later this spring.
“I’ve been in debate since sixth grade,” Silvas said.
In doing this, Silvas is not only making his school record look even better, but he’s helping himself and others in leadership skills.
“This will provide leadership opportunities for him in life and it demonstrates leadership on campus, which is amazing for him. This’ll really help his resume, as well,” DATA director and UIL Coordinator Stacia Fitzsimon said.
The students that Silvas will be working with, feel just as confident.
“This is my first year in debate, but I do think he’s pretty good,” DATA junior, Richie Azille said. “He seems devoted and happy about it.”
Silvas works with Joseph Johnson, the district debate coordinator, to coach his peers and learn even more about this UIL event.
“He [Johnson] will be providing me with all the materials, teach me, and then from there, I’ll self-coach,” Silvas said.
Johnson and Silvas are in a transitional state on getting the debate team re-started and has been working with the debaters weekly.
“He is an impressive student,” Johnson said. “I think Roosevelt’s future in debate is off to a great start.”
The UIL Debate team had their first session on Friday, Oct. 12, in room 27 in the DATA building. Their next event will be Oct. 27 at St. Mary’s Hall.
