Mathew, a high school junior, approached speech and debate teacher Jeremy Fee to join the team despite not being enrolled in the class. Having never participated in an official debate program before, she viewed high school as her opportunity to establish herself. "I’ve never been a part of an organization like speech and debate before; it’s always been these little, random side quests," Mathew stated, emphasizing her desire for a competitive experience that would enhance her skills for a future in law.
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Initially, she engaged in Program Oral Interpretation (POI), an event focused on the dramatic presentation of literature. However, Mathew soon realized that she preferred developing her own arguments and sharing her perspective, prompting her transition to Original Oratory (OO). In OO, participants must research and memorize a persuasive ten-minute speech, which requires them to rely solely on their own voice without a script or character.
"Ten minutes is a lot, and every event I’ve done has been memorized, so if I don’t have it memorized, that’s completely on me," Mathew remarked. She highlighted the importance of confidence, as the performance relies entirely on one’s own words and physical presence.
Her preparation for OO was rigorous. Junior Julian Salas, a friend, recalled observing Mathew rehearsing during early morning bus rides to competitions. "Before a competition on the bus, she was still memorizing her ten-minute speech that she was going to perform later that day," Salas noted. He pointed out that her dedication to practice set her apart from her peers.
However, the challenge escalated when performing in front of judges. The closed door signified a solitary battle against the timer and the need for a flawless delivery. Given the pressure from both judges and fellow competitors, Mathew focused on mastering recovery techniques when her performances didn’t go as planned. "If you do mess up, pause, and say, ‘Let’s take a moment of silence to all the people who have been abused by our corrupt system,’" she explained, showcasing her ability to pivot in the face of challenges.