Bowie High School's Speech and Debate team is one of the most successful squads in central Texas.

The team of roughly 50 competitors already has a dozen tournaments—and an impressive eight first place wins—under its belt this school year.

"Students spend countless hours practicing their speeches, pieces and cases," said coach Brian Alford. "There are many late nights on Fridays and super-early mornings on Saturdays. Most students do this activity while participating in many other extracurricular activities and keeping rigorous academic schedules." 

Students on the team can compete in several events that are divided into Debate events and Interpretation events.

In all, Bowie's Speech and Debate team has qualified 26 competitors for the state tournament. Students will continue to qualify throughout the spring semester; state competition begins in August. 

In addition to tournaments in Texas, seven students traveled Chicago for a tournament in November, while a pair of Bulldogs have qualified for the Tournament of Champions at the University of Kentucky in April in Congressional debate.