On September 11, the Klein Collins Speech & Debate club hosted officer elections for the 2024-2025 school year in room 160.

Sara Munoz, the sponsor and head coach for Speech & Debate club, hosted the officer elections after school on Wednesday. The leadership positions available were that of the president, the vice president, the treasurer, and the secretary. In total, nine students ran for the four available positions. All nine students were required to write a speech beforehand and present it to the rest of their peers at the front of the room. Additionally, those running were required to create a digital poster that contained a photograph and fun facts about themselves. These posters were displayed on the touch screen at the front of the room.

Officer elections were required for the club as the coach, Munoz, does not have enough time to run Speech & Debate without the assistance of a team of students who are dedicated to the subject. The Speech & Debate club wants to promote independence and responsibility, leading to officer elections to create a team that would successfully assist their peers in preparing for future competitions. 

The individuals running were allowed an uninterrupted amount of time to convince their peers to vote for them. The speeches lasted a few minutes, and the candidates went up in alphabetical order. The audience remained silent during the speeches out of respect for their peers.

“The way people used their voices and their voice of words were inspiring,” sophomore Jacqueline Garcia said.

Students were encouraged to speak on four issues: why they should be chosen, the qualities that make a leader, their future goals for the club, and their leadership experience. They were also encouraged to appeal to their audience and to have confidence in their abilities.

The members of the club who opted out of candidacy voted on ballots that were turned in at the end of the meeting. Once every student had left the room, Munoz counted the ballots and announced the results in the club’s GroupMe, congratulating the victors.

There was much preparation that went into each candidate’s speech before the meeting. Each speech was met with a round of applause as students congratulated the nominees for their confidence, encouraging their fellow club members and showing the caring environment that the club nurtures.

“It was a spectacular experience and it felt as if they were speaking directly to me from their hearts,” Garcia said.