There’s no debating success at Wildwood Middle High School.
Four years ago when Illiana Miranda was asked to start and coach a debate team at Wildwood Middle High School, she hesitated. She didn’t have a background in the activity and wasn’t sure how to begin. But her daughter, AmandaLesly, pushed her to give it a try. Together with classmate Esly Villeda, they launched an eight-person roster that has since grown into three teams: middle school, high school varsity and high school novice.
What started as an experiment has turned into one of Florida’s most successful programs, with Wildwood students earning state and national recognition.
Speech and debate builds skills that last long after high school, from researching and analyzing issues to speaking with poise and civility. Students compete in events ranging from original oratory to extemporaneous speaking, as well as debate formats such as Lincoln-Douglas, policy, public forum and congressional debate…