On Saturday, April 10, 2010, roughly ten Little Rock Central High students involved in the forensics and debate program participated in the first annual Little Rock Central High Speech Competition sponsored by the Bailey & Oliver Law Firm.

Participants spoke for four to six minutes on the topic of what should happen with health care reform in America, if anything?  The students competed for a chance to win up to $300 in prize money.  Attorneys from Bailey & Oliver served as judges of the competition, which took place at Central High.  Competitors were judged on five criteria, including content, organization, knowledge of subject matter, delivery, and body language.

“It’s rare for adults to come to high school students to hear our views on a topic as important as health care, and we really appreciate the opportunity to share our views and to compete,” said Briana Sanders, a junior who finished second in the competition.  Junior Lindsey Garland finished first in the competition, while sophomore Sana Khan finished third.

Clarke Tucker, founder of the firm’s Little Rock office, said all of the attorneys were impressed with the students’ speeches.  “We could instantly tell that everyone who participated was extremely intelligent, articulate, and poised, and that they knew as much or more about health care reform than we did.”

Tucker, an alum of Central High and its debate program, credits much of his success with his experiences at Central High.  “The education I received here at Central High was tremendous and invaluable.  My experiences through activities like the debate program prepared me not only for the practice of law but also to value community and diversity.  Hopefully, this speech competition is something I can do for many years to give back in a small way to the school that gave so much to me.”