As a high school speech and debate competitor, nothing opened my eyes to the wider world than my first trip to the Oregon High School tournament. As a senior from Beaverton HS, I was named the outstanding competitor at that competition. It was, even more than qualifying for the National Forensics Tournament, the highlight of my HS career.

I chose to attend UO as a National Merit Finalist. Neither of my parents made it longer than a year in college. My experience in forensics allowed me to graduate with honors in English. I later attended the University of Washington School of Law, where I also graduated with honors and served in the Law Review.

Cutting the program would not only damage the current students, it would irrevocably damage high school speech and debate in Oregon. Even after I stopped competing seriously in college, I worked on the HS tournament. I felt obliged to give back.

The current director of the program, Trond Jacobson, has done a fantastic job of outreach to alumni, and built a superb learning environment for the current students.

I implore you to maintain the program, for the good of current students, and for the thousands of Oregon high school students who regard that trip to Eugene as the highlight of their year.

Robert Taylor, ‘85