Sports are typically won by the people who practice the most, work the hardest and perform the best. However, the key to all of those things is the bonds people forge within their respective sports that make what they do worth while. For junior Ava Jingozian, Speech and Debate Team is no exception.
Jingozian placed first in the Children’s Literature event for the Walpole Speech and Debate Team in the Tournament of Terror at Dighton-Rehoboth High School on Oct. 27. This victory has been her only first place finish in her speech career so far.
“I 110% do not know [how I got first],” said Jingozian. “I do think that [final] round was the best I’ve performed my piece, but I didn’t think so at the time.”
The nerve-wracking pressure of speaking in front of judges intimidates many people, and Jingozian is no different.
“You get in your own head and start thinking like you didn’t do well or maybe you got third in your individual round rather than first in the whole tournament,” Jingozian said.
For her event, Children’s Literature, otherwise known as Kiddy Lit, students read a piece from a children’s book. This event is very popular in the Massachusetts Speech and Debate League (MSDL); however, this did not stop Jingozian. The event’s unique attributes allow her to act comically and unrestrained in her piece: "The Gruffalo," which is about a mouse cleverly avoiding danger.
“I’m not afraid to kind of let loose and give it my all and do those crazy voices and character pops that Kiddy Lit lets me do. Those fears kind of just go away, and I go crazy, and that’s when it gets really fun,” Jingozian said.
Surprisingly, Jingozian’s talents may never have been discovered had it not been for Speech and Debate. Before joining the team, she thought about transferring to another school early sophomore year.
“I was about to transfer, but my mom said to give Walpole one more chance,” Jingozian said. "I saw a little thing on the Rebel Report about speech, and everyone was having so much fun, so I joined and I really don’t regret it.”
The Speech and Debate Team may have lost a true talent if Jingozian had not joined, but now she has cemented herself as a vital leader on the team.
“Not only does she work hard, but she also coaches other students and is so helpful with her feedback," Speech and Debate Team Coach Emily Murray said.
Jingozian has said that it was the many friends she made while on speech that made her stay and pursue a career in competing in the MSDL, and that if she had not joined the team, she would have never had the opportunity to cherish the relationships she has made.
“Competing, winning and building your public speaking skills are great, but I really do think the family that you make is the best part about speech,” Jingozian said.