Debate Coach Terri Williams, Christopher Flix, Christian Armstrong, Debate Coach Rennette Brown, Matthew Ealy and Fredrick Wright. Photo submitted.

From a press release:

This time, it came down to Yates vs. Yates. And either way, the Third Ward area high school won.

In the recent Houston Urban Debate League Tournament held in December at Sharpstown – International High School, the Yates High School debaters placed first and second in the varsity division. Fredrick Wright and Christian Armstrong, both juniors, placed first, and Matthew Ealy and Christopher Flix, who are also juniors, earned second.

After facing competition in the semi rounds from Westside, Westbury, Waltrip, Madison and North Houston Early College, the Yates debaters respectively placed first and second. However, it wasn’t clear which team was truly one and two. So the teams decided to debate one another.

Although the Yates debaters were successful, they said they weren’t taking their wins for granted.

“This is crunch time, we cannot afford to let up now,” Armstrong said. “If we want to be the best we have to research like the best, practice like the best, as well as performing like the best. Our destiny is in our own hands now.”

Wright credited his coaches and mentors for helping in the win. “Our team and coaches gave time and brain power and in return we gain the luxury of being first place,” Wright said.

The Yates team is led by Terri Williams and Rennette Brown, coaches and Steve Messer, mentor.

In the novice division, Westside High School students Lenzi Daniel and Angela Mosely placed first, and Thomas Milton and Tyra Skinner of North Houston Early College placed second.

Although the Yates team of Ealy and Flix came in second, the team mates said it was still a win for Yates.

“This is not only a win for me and my debate partner, but it is a win for the whole Yates Debate Team,” Ealy said. “We now understand that Yates High School is the school to beat.”

Flix agreed: “I’m excited about how far both teams have come, and now I know we will have to work harder because the level of competition has risen immensely.”

The next Houston Urban Debate League tournament, as well as the University Interscholastic League District debate tournament will be held January 22 and 23 at Yates High School.