Forest Glen Middle Speech Student Wins County Championship

Coral Springs, Florida – John Guillaume, an eighth grader at Forest Glen Middle School, won first place in storytelling at the Middle School Speech and Debate Championship.

In April, Cypress Bay High School hosted Guillaume, who memorized and performed the Legend of Palanagua, a Louisiana folktale. Storytelling is a new category for middle school debate.

Guillaume is preparing to travel to Des Moines, Iowa, to compete in the National Speech and Debate tournament. He will compete against hundreds of other students from across the nation.

“It was an awesome experience, and I loved participating in speech and debate. I can express myself,” Guillaume said. “I am looking forward to the national tournament.”

Forest Glen debate coach Susan Montero is proud of Guillaume and his effort.

“This is my first year as a debate coach, and it really means a lot to have a student do well in this program. This is a very prestigious accomplishment.”

According to Montero, other team members have won medals, and she hopes to build a strong program.

On May 4, the Forest Glen speech and debate team hosted a speech and debate novice championship that included teams from Broward County. Teams from Coral Springs, Coral Glades, and Marjory Stoneman Douglas High Schools participated.