Tatum Cameron, Elijah Hernandez, and Jillian Jones traveled to Austin last week, where they gave speeches, argued bills and resolutions, and withstood questions in a mock legislative assembly. These students earned their spot at the State Congress Competition after they excelled in the District Tournament back in November. 

Congress is an individual contest in a large group setting. It models the legislative process of democracy, specifically, the United States Congress. Within this mock legislative assembly competition, contestants draft legislation (proposed laws and position statements) submitted to the tournament, and they research the docket of bills and resolutions dealing with real-world social and political policies prior to the contest to prepare their speeches. 

In the 6A conference, around 60 students from across the state compete against one another as they deliver formal discourse on the merits and disadvantages of each piece of legislation and vote to pass or defeat the measures they have examined. 

While the students did not make it past the first day of competition, they presented themselves extremely well. They worked and researched for over a month to debate over 20 bills and resolutions.  They participated in two 3-hour sessions of congress where they gave speeches, and both asked and answered questions. 

“Congress is an amazing contest that truly tests the student's skill at thinking and speaking,” said Heather Byar, the FHS Speech and Debate Coach. “Our Frenship Tigers went in and did a great job.”  

The team took two alternates, James Franks and Berklee Hudgens, as it is a great opportunity for them to see what state level competition looks like, so that they can prepare better for future competition.