While the Cherokee Trail speech and debate team continues to grow as a program, one specific student stands out. Temi Bello, a junior who has been in the program since his freshman year, shares his journey to becoming a team captain. 

  This speech and debate Victor was placed in the course his freshman year and never expected to love it as much as he does today. Over the past three years, as he’s developed into the student he is today, he has built his way to being a crucial part of his team. 

  “My role is to encourage and help train novices. Help people out and give them a direction on where to go. Since I have been on this team for years and learned determination, I would like to help new people on the team learn this as well,” said Bello.

  Determination and encouragement is how Bello helped to lead his very own team to be state and national qualifiers as of this school year. 

  “Temi has contributed tremendously to the speech and debate community, placing first in the CHSAA 5A state tournament, arguably the most competitive division, and being the first LD qualifier for our district for nationals.” said Grace Chavez, another junior on the speech and debate team, “His contributions exceed NSDA points, not to mention, his instruction to his novices is a high level of coaching, and his energy has lead to a happy and healthy environment,” said Chavez.

  Chavez has been on this team with Bello since freshman year and if anything has proven how humble CTs very own speech and debate champion truly is. 

  “It feels really good to see the community flourish and at the end of the day I can’t wait to see what we accomplish,” said Bello, who hopes to continue to learn and grow.  As he is approaching his last year at CT, he encourages any student in the CT community to join this flourishing course and indulge in the same eye-opening experiences he discovered his freshman year.