The BHS UIL Speech, Debate, and Academics teams competed at Medina Valley High School on Saturday, Jan. 18, facing off against 20 schools as they prepare for the District contest in March.
Several students delivered standout performances. Isabella Chapa claimed first place in both Poetry and Informative Speaking, while Alyssa Ruch earned fourth in Informative Speaking and advanced as a quarterfinalist in LD Debate.
Aiden Garcia secured sixth place in Persuasive Speaking, and Claudia Alameda took second place in Prose.
In Ready Writing, Edyn Knudtson achieved first place, with Mary Freeman finishing third. Carter Rissmiller placed fifth in Current Events. Ozzie Knowles won first place in News Writing and took sixth in Editorial Writing, while Jocelyn Klein finished fifth and Ruffin Scartocci earned fourth in Editorial Writing.
Sarah Le took first place in spelling, Isabelle Smith earned third, and Vanessa Perez placed fifth. Bandera’s spelling team also secured first place overall.
Finally, Ozzie Knowles placed second in headline writing and first in copy editing, while Edyn Knudtson took second place in copy editing.
The students are coached by Stephanie Jones, Ginger Frye, Aidan Keane, and Brady Keane.
The team’s next tournament will take place in Wimberley on Jan. 25.
