By Kiri Grant, Cypress Park High School 

April 18, 2023—Cypress Park High School sophomore Nicole Lee led the CFISD contingent competing at the Texas Forensic Association (TFA) State competition, winning the Poetry event. She was recognized for her state championship at the April 10 Board of Trustees regular meeting. 

In total, 26 students representing seven CFISD high schools finished as state quarterfinalists or better at TFA State, held March 9-11 in Houston. The association provides and governs competition in speech and debate. 

“The Texas Forensics Association is our state debate competition,” said Tami Raley, Cypress Park director of speech and debate. “Students will compete throughout the entire year at different invitational tournaments and if they are successful at those tournaments, they go to state.” 

Lee’s poem portrayed the feelings of Black women who are victims of stereotyping. For the competition, participants give a 7-minute performative read using a small black binder. 

Lee started her performance with the words, “I’m sweet. I’m kind. I’m a little awkward.” 

“But in the midst of the poem I talk about how angry I am and how much of a right it is to be angry,” Lee said. 

Raley said Lee’s performance was a way of communicating she is a multi-faceted person. 

“It is most definitely an empowerment piece,” Raley said. 

The victory was sweet for Lee, who is just in her first year of varsity debate. 

“It just feels really nice to be poured into but also to pour out and share stories with others that I feel like should be told,” Lee said. 

For participating students across CFISD, qualifying for the state competition was the culmination of late hours practicing, competing at local tournaments and critiquing teammates’ work. 

Cypress Park junior Nora Iniesta, a Poetry TFA state semifinalist, described the journey to the state competition as a unique yet difficult experience, but one she’s thankful to have been a part of. The program is also seeing growth as a byproduct from its success. 

Lee and other qualifying CFISD students will advance to the 2023 National Speech & Debate Tournament, slated for June 11-16 in Phoenix, Ariz.  

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