By Christopher Turner Staff Writer
As with other schools, Loyola High School has many outstanding students. One such student is senior, Travis McClendon. Travis is known throughout the school and the high school debate community as an outstanding debater.
In McClendon’s four years as a debater, he’s managed to earn more than 20 medals and trophies, and won multiple debate tournaments. This year, McClendon achieved earned another accolade when he was ranked with superior distinction for the National Speech and Debate Association.
McClendon is now ranked in the top 10 in the country by the NSADA. He was also named All-State in Michigan for debate.
McClendon has competed at national competitions at Harvard and Yale. In addition, to his already long list of accolades McClendon, and his debate partner, senior Anthony Williams, traveled to Los Angeles during the spring break to compete against students from all over the country.
During the time before the tournament, McClendon constantly said the phrase “I’m too national for you,” whenever someone approached him. The mantra paid off. While in Los Angeles, they beat the teams from Baltimore and Rhode Island.
Even though the regular season is over, this isn’t the end of Travis’s debate career. He has an upcoming tournament that will decide if he’ll be able to go on to Dallas this summer to compete against other students in the nation.
“Debate is a passion that I have,” McClendon said. “I love to speak my mind whenever I can, and debate gives me that opportunity. Also, whenever I can challenge myself mentally, instead of physically I will. That is why I enjoy doing debate.”
