Thinking back on my college experience- even though it feels bonkers to be “thinking back” when it seems like I just started- I am really grateful to know that I’ve been stretched inside and outside of the classroom time and time again. While I have absolutely learned immeasurable lessons in the classes I’ve taken here at Belmont, whether it be in the Communications, Theology, or Art departments, without a doubt the place I have seen the most growth and education is my time with the Belmont University Speech and Debate Team.

A handful of weekends each semester, we get to compete in tournaments across different states and hear from students at colleges all around the country. The main categories I participate in are Prose Interpretation, Duo Interpretation, and After Dinner Speaking. The first two are 10-minute performances of published works of fiction- like a play, short story, or monologue. Prose and Duo have been extremely impactful in my life. Getting to catch a glimpse of someone’s portrayal of another in such a soul-bearing way is always really cool to watch. It has been a routine practice of empathy and imagination these past few years, allowing me to further develop my sense of humanity.

However, After Dinner Speaking is the category that has changed the way I view the world the most. This is a 10-minute public address event designed to take a current and important topic and use humor and research to either persuade the audience and/or make greater sense of the subject. I was able to talk about how we can change our speech habits around death and grief, and in turn, I got to witness incredible speeches on transgender policy in the United States, mental health stigma around men, conservatorships, sexual and reproductive health, detrimental language patterns, and race inequality even within the speech and debate circuit- just to name a few.

The whole point of Speech and Debate is to inform audience members of topics or situations they may not have ever heard of or thought deeply about and to practice skills of empathy, depiction, and persuasion. This activity has opened my eyes to a plethora of causes I never knew to support and stories that I may never have been exposed to in my everyday life. Even within my own team there is an incredible diversity of thought and background, whether it be our political views, sexual orientation, gender identity, or religious affiliation. Despite the vast differences, we all share a common goal to learn from and support the well-being of each other. Since coming to college and joining this team, I’ve been introduced to so many people who are passionate about so many things. It has inspired me to be a lifelong learner and shown me tangible action steps for turning those lessons into meaningful changes in my routine, language, and point of view.

There are only so many people you can meet within the bounds of your college, and in my case- a private Southern Christian university. Being a part of Belmont’s Speech and Debate team has been a life-changing experience that has forever altered the way I interact with people and engage in my communities. I believe I have come out a more eager learner, devoted worker, and passionate speaker through watching so many students use their experiences and interests to educate the people around them and make the world a better place.