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Buena Park students qualify for national speech and debate tournament; district spotlights program growth
Summary
At its May 12 meeting the Buena Park School District highlighted growth in its speech program and announced the district’s first-ever qualification for the National Speech & Debate Association nationals, with six students advancing to Des Moines this June and 28 students advancing to the recent state semifinals.
The Buena Park School District on May 12 celebrated a growing speech program and announced that, for the first time, a BPSD team qualified to compete at the National Speech & Debate Association national tournament in Des Moines, Iowa.
Director of Educational Programs Sandra Song told the Board the district is "very, very happy, very proud" as six students from Buena Park Middle School and Beatty Middle School will represent the district at nationals with 13 total speeches. Song said 28 students advanced to the state semifinals on May 3 at Santiago Canyon College, and that Emory Elementary sent 38 students to the state tournament — more than any other elementary school in the competition.
The presentation outlined the program’s expansion since BPSD began a contract with Advantage Communications in 2019, including a free summer speech camp and in‑school coaching that the district said has grown to serve about 50 students districtwide. Song described public speaking as a vehicle for confidence, critical thinking, listening and leadership skills and credited site coaches and the Advantage Communications partnership for the program’s success.
Gilbert Elementary speech coach Melody Earl — named the district’s coach of the year — was quoted in the presentation (her remarks were read aloud to the board). Earl said her students were initially "intimidated by the idea of public speaking" but that, through coaching, she watched them "blossom into articulate, brave, and self assured speakers." The presentation listed site coaches and recognized students who qualified for state and national competition; Song said this year the district sent its first duo‑interpretation team to the state tournament and that Gilbert won the large school sweepstakes championship at the district level.
Board members from across the dais praised the program during discussion, highlighting the practical benefits of communication skills for students’ future academic and professional opportunities. Several trustees and the superintendent thanked Advantage Communications staff and the volunteer coaches who supported students in practices and tournaments.
The district said it will continue to offer summer camp and expand speech opportunities in the 2025–26 school year. The Board did not take a separate funding vote at the meeting related to the speech program; the presentation was informational and celebratory and preceded subsequent action items on the agenda.
Buena Park’s nationals team named in the presentation includes students from Beatty Middle School and Buena Park Middle School: Sharon (Beatty), Andrea (Beatty, 7th grade), Tia (Beatty, 6th grade), Yunju (Beatty, 6th grade), Anne Ellie (Beatty, 6th grade) and Juliet (Buena Park Middle School, 7th grade). Song also introduced Mayuri (Gilbert Elementary) who performed a Spanish interpretation and highlighted other students and coaches across district sites.
The Board applauded the students and coaches; district staff said Advantage Communications and site coaches will continue work over the summer to prepare students headed to Des Moines.
