Hooks debate team students will take the floor in Austin on January 3rd and 4th, for the State Congressional Debate competition. Debate team members Guen Canon and Jonathan Tinajero will represent HHS at the competition.

“I’m very excited that the vets (veteran debaters) did so well, especially since this was my first year as a vet,” second-year debate student, Damian (Chito) Vazquez said. “We did amazing this year and I was very proud of the team, especially in the region.”

These students secured their spots with their hard work all season and their outstanding performances at the Region Congressional Debate Competition. At the Region Competition, held November 5th at the Region 8 center in Pittsburg, Texas, students from Hooks, Atlanta, and Chapel Hill competed for spots in the state competition. From Hooks, Guen Cannon placed 2nd, Jonathan Tinajero 3rd, Rylan Baird 5th, and Chito Vazquez 6th. Guen and Jonathan secured spots in state, while Rylan and Chito are the second and third alternates.

Along with competing in the tournament, HHS students wrote bills for the docket used in the competition. Bills such as: “A Bill to Demilitarize the Police” by Cre McDowell, “A Bill to Mandate a Federal Minimum Wage for Penal Labor,” by Chito Vazquez, and “A Bill to Display After-Tax Price in Stores” along with “A Bill to Expedite the Naturalization Process for Parents,” both written by Jonathan Tinajero, were debated on by all students competing.

“It felt like when you get off a really big roller coaster, like a big rush of adrenaline and relief all at once in the best way possible,” state qualifier Guen Canon said.

The state meet will take place in Austin, Texas, with the preliminary contest enacting at UT Austin and the finals round enacting in the Texas capitol building.