Melissa High School’s debate program qualified two teams for the UIL Cross-Examination State Debate Tournament held March 20-21 at the University of Texas. Seniors Lauren Nager and Ruby Terry, along with sophomores Hayden Maynard and Manya Kaushik, represented Melissa ISD among the top teams in the state.
Out of just 54 teams to qualify statewide, with only two teams advancing from each UIL 5A district, both Melissa teams had already reached an impressive achievement. Hayden and Manya advanced to the quarterfinals, finishing among the top eight teams in Texas. Lauren and Ruby delivered an outstanding performance, advancing to the state semifinals and placing in the top three.
Individually, Ruby earned top speaker honors, ranking first out of more than 120 competitors and receiving the UIL 5A Cross-Examination Golden Gavel Award.
Reflecting on her experience, Lauren shared, “It’s not about the product, but the process.”
As seniors, Lauren and Ruby have been competing in UIL Cross-Examination Debate since their freshman year, building an impressive record of success. They advanced to the top 16 at the state tournament as freshmen and returned last year to earn a top-three finish.
“This has been the best that we have done at CX state as a collective,” said MHS Speech and Debate Coach Brenden Dimmig. “All of it was possible due to their hard work this year.”
The UIL Cross-Examination Debate format involves teams of two engaging in structured debates on predetermined topics, with the top teams advancing through elimination rounds to the state championship. This competitive format highlights critical thinking, effective communication, and teamwork.
Melissa ISD is proud of these students for their exceptional achievements and dedication, as well as Coach Dimmig for his continued leadership. Their success highlights the strength of the program and sets a strong foundation for the future.