President's Welcome
Coaches, competitors, administrators and parents,
Welcome to Houston for the 52nd Texas Forensic Association State Tournament. It has truly
been my honor to serve as your president! First, let me thank our hosts, the Houston Marriot
Westchase, who once again have stepped up to host our state contest. They have been
accommodating and understanding adapting from what they learned last year about speech
and debate tournaments to better serve our needs this season. Even a recent fire wouldn’t
stop them from hosting us this weekend! I would also like to thank the TFA Executive Council;
this group of tireless volunteers has given countless hours to the betterment of our
organization to ensure that the students of Texas have access to the highest quality
tournament experience year-round. TFA State this year marks a record number of entries and
an unusual setting which required extraordinary insight from our leadership.
Thanks to the administration at Pampa ISD for their unwavering support of Speech and
Debate, for allowing me the freedom to traverse the state weekend after weekend in service to
TFA. Thank you to Superintendent Hugh Piatt for consistently encouraging his faculty and staff
to become servant leaders and give back to the communities they are a part of, and to my
principals Clay Jones at PHS and Sachio Petit at PJHS for allowing me reach students where
they are and give them the opportunity to find their voice.
This is it, YOU are it, the best of the best. Congratulations on qualifying to TFA State, you are in
elite company. In these rounds we will have state and national champions. Texas knows how
to win, and I am proud of each and every one of you for making it this far, but winning isn’t
everything as they say. Don’t forget to make time to take it all in. Take a breath, look around,
maybe even eat an empanada. These moments will last forever, make memories. In victory
and defeat, remember the moments. Get out there and let your voice sing, advocate for those
whose voice needs amplified, speak your truth and be heard.
Nathaniel Council, TFA President
