Amy Gaudet Top Speech Student
Amy Gaudet smiles during National Qualifiers for Speech and Debate in Phoeniz, AZ. Photography taken by Scott Capin
April 30, 2019
There’s No Debate About It.
Most people know you don’t want to argue with a teenager, Amy Gaudet is definitely a teenager you don’t want to get into an argument with. Gaudet is a senior at BUHS, she got into speech and debate her freshman year and has been able to compete in a debate event called Public Forum.
Gaudet began Congressional debate her sophomore year. She stated: “I loved that the debate style emphasized both the content of your speech, as well as articulation and fluency.” Because of her experience, she gets to travel to Dallas, Texas, and Lexington, Kentucky to compete in nationwide Congressional Debate tournaments.
She said ‘there’s been a whole community of people supporting [her] through the various competitions, including Mrs. Helfrich-Holland and Kristina Justice.” Gaudet also said that their constant support really gave her the confidence she needed to advance through the various competition levels. Her friends and family are always there to “hype her up” before a competition. She said, “they never let me go into one without imbuing me with the belief that I can come out victorious.”
Gaudet competed in the annual Bishop Lions Club speech contest this year. According to Gaudet, there have only been two people from Bishop who have advanced beyond the District level and she was hoping to be the third. She didn’t end up advancing past the district level. Next year Gaudet plans on attending the University of Arizona and majoring in politics, philosophy, economics, and law. This will give her the skills to keep speaking and make a positive impact on the world around. Gaudet also hopes to coach at the Southwest Speech and Debate Institute this summer.