East Coast Regionals Unforgettable
My trip to Rhode Island began very early in the morning on Friday, May 3rd, 2002. I personally was just trying to go to this little tournament to improve upon the skills I already had. That morning, I boarded the coach bus that I would be on for the next ten hours. While we were on the bus we all tried to get comfortable and prepare ourselves for the tournament that lied ahead.
When we finally arrived at the hotel I would have been extremely happy to get my room assignment and go to sleep, but we were off to Brown University to participate in the opening ceremony. I had a lot of fun watching the UDL debaters express how they felt about debate, By the end of the day I was sick and wondering if I could perform to the best of my ability the next morning.
The next morning I woke up and like every tournament morning I began to worry. I worried about my performance. I wondered if the way I spoke would have an effect on my ability to be understood. I was a nervous wreck. Since I still had a sore throat with one swollen tonsil I didn’t want to make it any worse. When we arrived at Brown that morning I saw all of the other students and just wanted to get to know some of the people so I could stop worrying. I met a few debaters from New York and realized that they are not much different from my friends and I. It made me feel a little more at ease to know how similar we all are.
During the day, competition was very challenging but I strongly believe that I did my best. That night events were arranged for all of the debaters to participate in but I decided to sit everything out and try to rest because I was feeling ill again.
At the hotel that night everyone was everywhere, having fun and getting to know each other. The atmosphere was full of laughter, happiness and relief that the day was finally over. I talked with some of the debaters I had met from New York, played cards and ate pizza all night long.
Sunday came all too fast. I wasn’t ready to go home. That morning when we arrived at Brown I branched off from everyone else. I sat back and watched everyone around me look so happy and that me feel good as well. Time ticked by and before I knew it, it was time for the awards banquet. I didn’t really expect to win anything. My sole purpose was to cheer on some new and old friends. I won 10th place speaker, and 2nd place varsity team. My school also won a team award.
My experience in Rhode Island was a very memorable one. I walked away with friends that I will never forget and to this day I still keep in touch with them. Every now and again I think back on my trip to Rhode Island and every time a smile from ear to ear comes across my face.
I thank the Baltimore Urban Debate League for giving us all the chance to participate in the 1st Annual East Coast Regional tournament. I hope that we are afforded the chance to do it again this year because it’s an experience that every east coast debater should have a chance to experience.