Most people run away from nerves. Keira runs toward them. For the C.K. McClatchy student, the “rush” of a speech round isn’t just about competing—it’s about the unique adrenaline that comes from making a room full of people laugh until they cry. It’s a formula that works: Keira recently took 2nd place at the CHSSA qualifying tournament in Humorous Interpretation (HI), punching her ticket to the State Championships.
The Spark: Finding the “Funny”
Keira’s story began in seventh grade at Miwok Middle School. Like many, she started out feeling “pretty nervous” about public speaking. The turning point came when she watched a high school coach perform a piece by Trevor Noah.
“I was crying, laughing, and so were all my friends,” Keira recalls. “Knowing how it feels watching a humorous speech made me want to do it. I wanted to make people smile.”
Today, Keira uses that humor for more than just laughs. Her state-qualifying piece features the work of comedian Ali Wong, blending sharp wit with deeper themes of Asian American feminism. “To be able to combine making people laugh with spreading awareness and voicing what I believe in—it really makes the speech enjoyable,” she says.
Beyond the Trophies: Skills for Life
While the thrill of competition is what keeps Keira coming back—citing the “adrenaline and nerves” as something you can’t find anywhere else—the benefits have spilled over into her academic life.
Keira credits the Sacramento Urban Debate League (SUDL) with making her a “quick thinker” who can reroute on her feet when things don’t go as planned. “In school assignments, it helps me work with what I have and make the best of it,” she explains. Whether it’s analyzing complex texts for English essays or providing contextualization in history, the training of speech has given her a competitive edge in the classroom.
A League of Connection
One of the most unique aspects of SUDL is the community it builds across campus lines. Despite attending different high schools, Keira has maintained a close bond with her best friend, Hadeeqah, who competes for West Campus.
“We’re able to talk about things people in other leagues aren’t able to talk about,” Keira says. “I don’t think of it as competing against her… I just get really excited because we can ‘nerd out’ about speech together.” This sense of belonging is a hallmark of the SUDL experience, turning rivals into lifelong friends.
The Advice: “Just Do It”
When asked what she would say to a student who is too shy to join, Keira’s advice is simple: “Nike said it best: Just do it. You have to throw yourself in the deep end to swim.” She acknowledges that while the nerves might be intense in the moment, the feeling of walking off stage after a performance is “one of the greatest feelings in the whole world.”
A Note to Our Supporters
None of this would be possible without the donors and supporters of the Sacramento Urban Debate League. To them, Keira has a clear message:
“You are funding a great cause. Speech and debate helps you grow much more than just inside your rounds. You’re teaching kids valuable, lifelong skills that most people don’t learn until much later in life. It really is a privilege to do this.”
As Keira prepares to represent McClatchy and the Sacramento region at the State Tournament, she carries with her more than just a script—she carries the confidence, voice, and community that SUDL provides to students every day.
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