AURORA – The Colorado High School Association Speech and Debate championship season is in full swing. Next up is the 4A championship events.
The 4A Speech & Debate State Championships will be held this Friday and Saturday at Pueblo Central High School. The event will kick off at 12:30 p.m. Friday and then resume at 8 a.m. on Saturday. Medals will be awarded following the conclusion of the competition Saturday night.
This list of events and definitions can be used to learn about the events contested at each of the state championships. The one thing that will be different about the 4A championships is that it will not feature the following events: cross examination, one-on-one value debate, impromptu speaking or creative storytelling. Unlike the 3A and 5A competition, there are no 4A exclusive events.
CHSAA will welcome back five returning champions who will try and defend their titles at this year’s state competitions.
The first event that will see a returning champion is the congressional debate. Presley Shilkitus from Discovery Canyon High School won the same event a year ago.
Humorous interpretation also has a returning champion, as Caleb Kezeor from Woodland Park High School returns to compete in the same event.
Original oratory is the next competition to see a returning champion, as Pueblo West’s Nkechi Onyejekwe will return to defend her title.
Poetry reading will also welcome back Morgan Farmer from Delta High School to defend their title.
Finally, Delta High School’s Shayla Curtis – who won the event in 2023 – will once again compete in the program oral interpretation event.