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Four Little Cypress-Mauriceville High School debaters participated in the 20-4A District CX (Team) debate meet on Saturday, Feb. 9. Kara Stanford and Trey Mathis took first place in the district. Kara has competed at district for CX debate all four years of her high school career, and has tied for first place the first three years and won outright this year.

Since she placed first those years (first and second advance to state), she has qualified for state every year she has been in high school. According to debate coach, Don Vercher, “This is quite an accomplishment. No one from LCM has done this since I have been coaching here, beginning in 2005. I do not recall anyone doing that ever from LCM. I know no one in any 3A or 4A school has accomplished that feat since before 1997.”

This is Trey’s second year in debate and his first time to compete at District UIL in CX debate. Sam Ross and Justice Peveto are freshmen and this is their first year in debate. “It was a very good showing, therefore, for them to place fourth in the district,” said Vercher. They have had a good year, placing in every tournament they have attended except one, and not all tournaments have a novice division. That means that they placed at tournaments where they competed against more experienced debaters.”

By placing first and fourth on Saturday, LCM had more points than any other school attending, and won the 20-4A District Sweepstakes Award at the CX District Tournament.

Pictured are the debate team, from left - Justice Peveto, Sam Ross, Trey Mathis, and Kara Stanford.