This summer Bowie interp is going to be headed to Salt Lake City, Utah for the national competition. This is a competition that happens every year. The competition is limited to four entries in each event.

“Nationals moves around every year. It was not in salt lake last year,“Interp. Teacher Marco Bazan said.

The students that get qualified for Nationals only qualify in one event for the competition. Some of the students have been qualified for nationals in the previous national competitions in years past. Some of the students have been in debate their whole high school career.  

“Last year I qualified for Nationals in Congressional Debate which is a solo event and missed breaking to semi-finals by a three way tie. I’ve been doing debate since my freshman year. ” Junior, Caleb Newton said.

These students juggle a lot of things with school and personal life every day. Some students have up to five things to juggle in their daily life on top of practicing for interp.

“I’m in theatre at bowie, Pre-professional company at Zach scott, and I escort for the silver stars, and I volunteer at the animal shelter on week days. I am able to juggle it all by just taking it one step at a time” Junior, Jackson Walker said.

The students have a lot of time to prepare for the National competition. They start practice in the summer and then practice from that point until it’s time for the National competition. They also have competitions throughout the year that help them for this competition as well.

“We prepare for all the tournaments in the summer for about a month before school begins and then continue to practice throughout the school year.” Junior Chlor Byars said.

There are some returners from previous years that have been qualified in Nationals but there are also some people that have never been qualified for nationals that are going into this competition.

“There are six students from Bowie that are going to nationals this year. There are over one thousand in total that will be at nationals,” Bazan said.

Some of the people who qualified were solo and some were in a duo. They have a partner that they stay with throughout the year if they are in a duo group.

“This is my first time qualifying for nationals. My partner and I actually were the champions of the qualifying tournament! My partner was Jackson Walker and our duo was “Next to Normal” Byars said.

Last year Bowie did very well at nationals. The students always do well at every competition and always do well in the national competition.

We always do well. Our first year at nationals one of our students did bring home an award,” Bazan said

The students have set goals for themselves for nationals. Of course they go into a national competition with some goals. Each of their goals are a little different from each others though.

“My goal for nationals is of course to win this time around! Goals should always be set high, but with the improvements that I have made I think that we stand an actual chance this year.” Newton said.

“My goal for nationals this year is overall just to make the most of it and create wonderful memories with my teammates/ coach because this may very well be the last chance I have at such a great opportunity.” Walker said.