Migrant Education Students Excel at State Competition

Several students from the Migrant Education Program at the Long Beach Unified School District earned top awards at the recent Speech and Debate State Tournament hosted by the California Office of Education’s Migrant Education Office.

LBUSD proudly returned home with five trophies after students showcased their exceptional public speaking skills. The student winners include:

• Juliet Torres of Jefferson Leadership Academy: first place in Spanish Extemporaneous Speech and second place in Spanish Prepared Speech.
• Anahi Gutierrez of Renaissance High School for the Arts: second place in English Extemporaneous Speech and English Prepared Speech.
• Kevin Perez of Millikan High School: third place in English Prepared Speech.

This year marked the LBUSD Migrant Education Program’s first year competing at the state level. Sixteen of the 34-student Los Angeles Region Speech and Debate Team were from LBUSD.

The Los Angeles Region team earned a total of 12 trophies, earning second place in the general standings in the state. More than 400 students competed with 21 counties participating in the tournament.

“Congratulations to our remarkable students from the Migrant Education Program for their outstanding achievements at the recent Speech and Debate State Tournament,” Superintendent Jill A. Baker said. “Their success reflects not only their talent and dedication but also the strength of our supportive community. We are immensely proud of their accomplishments and the opportunities this experience affords them as they continue on their path to success.”

The participating students expressed that the opportunity to represent LBUSD and Los Angeles County at the state level was an experience that would set them on the trajectory of success regardless of their individual future careers and endeavors.

Last month, the LBUSD Migrant Education Program earned a record number of awards at the Los Angeles County Office of Education’s Regional Speech and Debate Tournament.

“Our students' success amidst a highly competitive tournament underscores their exceptional talent and dedication. I am immensely proud of our students' commitment, perseverance and courage,” shared Martha Ensminger, a coordinator for the LBUSD Migrant Education Program. 

“Their achievements reflect their efforts and the support and guidance provided by our coaches Mr. Herrera of Wilson High School, Mr. Prado of Millikan High School and our students' parents, who not only encouraged them but practiced with them along the way,” Ensminger said.