The SBHS Speech and Debate Team is a longstanding legacy at our school. For decades it has boasted several accomplishments, titles, and awards. Much of this was done under the guidance of English teacher and head coach Rachel Wilczewski.
Last year, however, was Wilczewski’s last with the team, and with Barlow as a whole. As she left for a new teaching job in Hawaii, Jamaica Jones took over as the team’s new head coach.
A Barlow alumni, Jones spent all four of her high school years on the team, with Wilczewski as her coach.
“It’s a little surreal,” she said when asked what that meant to her. “But in the best way possible. I loved being on this team as a kid, and I know I’m going to love coaching it now. I’m honored to have the opportunity.”
It’s not Jones’ first year coaching either. She spent last year as an assistant coach.
“I had a great time coaching last year,” she said. “Getting to know everyone and becoming familiar again with the team.”
Wilczewski ran a successful program, but with any shift in leadership, there’s bound to be a trickle-down effect. When asked about changes she planned on making, Jones said, “It will be a learning process for sure. We’ll adapt, add and subtract things throughout the year as we work out the kinks. But I have lots of ideas, and am so excited to implement them.”
For now, some of those ideas include encouraging students to do more competition events, working with them at a one-on-one level before their events, and attending more event-specific tournaments throughout the year.
“I really want to stress that anyone can do anything,” said Jones when asked about her personal coaching philosophy. “I always have and always will be of the mindset that anyone who applies themself in the team will be successful. There’s an event for everyone, no matter what their preferences or personalities are like.” Then, she admitted, “But, I will say, I do like to win.”
Last year, the team sent the most students to Nationals that it ever had — 13. When asked about winning, Jones had this to say, “It’s not about winning, at the end of the day. I know that’s what everyone says, but really, it’s true. It’s about the skills and the knowledge you take away at the end of it all. But even still, we are a competitive team. We go to tournaments, and we win. And I am so looking forward to encouraging an environment where we appreciate all aspects of competition, from wins and losses to everything in between.”
At the end of the interview, Jones was asked what message she most wanted to convey. “That speech and debate is for everyone,” she responded. “That’s the base of it all. You reap so many benefits — a team environment, the development of essential skills, and fun practices and tournaments, and that goes for anyone. The way I see it, everyone should give it a shot. So stop by! We’d love to have you.”
The Speech & Debate team meets on Tuesdays from 2:45-4:00, and on Thursdays from 5:30 to 7:30.
With a coach and team this dedicated and passionate, it’s safe to say that the Barlow Speech & Debate Team is in good hands for this upcoming year.
