ABERDEEN, S.D. – For Amna George, being part of the Aberdeen Central Speech and Debate team has brought national success—and it has also given her a supportive group of friends.
“I feel like I found a community here,” said George, a senior at CHS.
George placed 4th in expository this summer at the National Speech and Debate Tournament. She is the fifth person from CHS to place semifinals or higher in expository at nationals. Her topic was tipping culture in the U.S.
Also at nationals, George placed in the top 60 in informative speaking. For this, her topic was rape as a weapon of war. George said it was a difficult topic to research, but she knew it was important, and her coaches helped motivate her to keep going.
The team’s head coach is Kerry Konda. Also coaching the team is George’s older sister, CHS alum Abiah George, who was very involved in Speech and Debate when she was in high school.
“She helps me,” George said. “She motivates me every day to get better.”
George and her family first moved to Aberdeen when she was in middle school, only one week before school started that year. At first, she said, it was difficult to make friends. That changed when she started high school.
“Starting high school was when I started creating a close friend group, and that is from Speech and Debate,” she said.
The whole team helps and supports each other.
“It’s a really supportive family,” she said.
After high school, George plans to attend Northern State University and is considering going into the medical field. She said she might start out as a nurse, then perhaps later become a dentist.
No matter what future career path she chooses, her involvement with CHS Speech and Debate has set her up for success. Before her involvement, George said she was very shy.
“I think Speech and Debate helped me so much,” she said. “... I would be the kid that is scared to raise their hand, or talk to people, make friends. But I think Speech and Debate helped me talk and get more involved, and I think this will help in my future too, talking to patients or helping people.”
Getting involved during her time at Aberdeen Central has also helped her.
“Being a Golden Eagle has helped me so much,” she said. “I’ve been involved in so much in school, but that’s also because of the people.”
George is also involved in FBLA, International Club and National Honor Society.
“I like being involved in our school because people are so nice,” she said.
For other students considering Speech and Debate, her advice is to keep going and not give up.
“A lot of kids when they just start, it’s scary looking at the seniors and thinking, ‘Oh, I could never be like that,’” George said. “But that’s going to be you one day.”
She encourages all students to get involved at school.
“Especially if you don’t have a friend group or if you feel alone here, getting involved is the first big step you should take,” she said. “Because that’s how I found my people here.”
About the Aberdeen Public School District
The Aberdeen Public School District provides a comprehensive educational program to approximately 4,200 students in grades K-12, with a mission of empowering all students to succeed in a changing world. Our students receive the knowledge and skills necessary to reach their potential in a global community through high expectations of academic achievement; diverse educational opportunities; and community involvement in a safe, supportive environment. Learn more at aberdeen.k12.sd.us.