Say it or Slay it

Meghana Maddali

Since their first tournament in Phillipsburg, forensics and debate students alike have been successful despite the past defeats. Instead of being demoralized by obstacles and failures, their shared defeat motivated them as they all supported one another and recognized the importance of learning from their mistakes. After a defeating first tournament, the Morris Knolls’ Speech and Debate Team was not phased.

Like all tournaments, the Basking-Ridge competition was engulfed with students who continued to stress about the potential outcomes of the impending debates. All around, individuals seemed tense, anxious about their future endeavors. Despite the stiff tension, the bond between the debaters and orators on the Morris Knolls’ team seemed unbreakable. Both had some serious competition to face, but still aided one another in preparing for the challenges they would soon face. Though nobody placed in this specific tournament, this was where the Speech and Debate team truly found its lively passion for developing argumentative and speech skills. Moreover, because the speech students and debaters were physically separated during the tournament, the crucial support that all members depended on was thought to be absent. However, recognizing the tense atmosphere, they still were all there for one another with constant moral support. Before their fellow friends embarked onto their first rounds, a pertinent FaceTime call took place between the members of the team. As the students encouraged their peers to face their fears, sophomore Kimaya Sharda infamously said, “Say it or Slay it,” creating the team’s motto.

Everything should be said with a purpose. A purpose that will potentially change an outlook, perspective, or even turn the debate around in one’s favor. By ‘slaying’ it, these students can reach beyond their goals with confidence. This newly built confidence contributes “to the members becoming a cooperative, informed, respectful, and caring member in their community, both globally or locally” as Mr. Leiher, the debate coach, expressed. The Speech and Debate club allows all Morris Knolls students to find their voices and use them to their advantage. Everyone has the choice to simply say it or reach beyond their potential and ‘slay it’. Thus, it is crucial to understand we are not born with these precious gifts of eloquent speech and impressive debate. Instead it is our choice to expand our own potentials by, ultimately, utilizing the opportunities that surround us.