Ramblewood Middle School Speech and Debate Students Perform Well in Tournament

by David Volz May 7, 2025

by David Volz May 7, 2025 1 minutes read

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Alexandria Dunn, Kaylee Shivpersaud and Nkemakolam Chijioke. {David Volz}

Ramblewood Middle School speech and debate students earned accolades at the Broward County Public School Championship Tournament at Everglades High School on April 26.

Kaylee Shivpersaud, 14, an eighth grader from Coral Springs, earned third place in prose interpretation for her presentation of “When the Fat Girl Gets Skinny.” She could relate to the message.

“I know what it is like to feel unattractive, and I have had to overcome those feelings,” she said.

Alexandria Dunn, 13, a seventh grader from Coral Springs, earned sixth place in prose interpretation for her presentation of “I Hate Myself,” a piece on self-confidence. Dunn could also relate to the message she was presenting.

“I have struggled with self-confidence, and I wish the older me could talk to the younger me,” Dunn said.

A presentation on speech and debate earned Nkemakolam Chijioke, 13, a seventh grader from Coral Springs, a sixth-place award in the informative speech category. “It was a fun experience, and it was good to win an award,” she said.

The Ramblewood speech program offers leadership opportunities. Shivpersaud is a team captain and takes seriously the goal of encouraging her teammates to succeed. “I believe it is important to listen and allow other voices to be heard,” she said.

Speech and debate teacher Paul Paradis was proud of the team and their effort. “We took 14 students. I am proud they were willing to get up and give a presentation,” he said.

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Author Profile

David Volz

David Volz has worked as a writer in South Florida for 35 years. He has written for the Sun-Sentinel, Hollywood Gazette, School Transportation News, South Dade News Leaders, Observer among others. He has an MA in Communications from Florida Atlantic University and a BA in Communications from Valparaiso University. Volz teaches Communications at Miami Dade College and Palm Beach State College. He lives in Coral Springs and enjoys running and participating in 5Ks and half-marathons.