June 23, 2008 — The Cypress Ridge High School Speech and Debate team had several top performers during the National Forensic League Desert Lights National Speech and Debate Tournament, held June 15-20 in Las Vegas.

Competing against more than 2,000 students from all 50 states, junior Bradley Rheinboldt advanced to the top 60 students in Humorous Interpretation. Recent graduate Stephen Samaroo advanced to the semifinals in Student Congress and junior Nick Cugini, who already holds two state championship titles, advanced to the top 30 in the country in United States Extemporaneous Speaking. 

Cypress Ridge was among the top 10 schools in Texas in a number of qualifications, with seven students advancing to the national tournament this summer. Additionally, Cugini currently ranks No. 1 in the United States in National Forensic League points among next year’s high school students. 

Cypress Ridge won 11 individual sweepstakes awards, the UIL District and Regional Speech Team Awards and the Space City National Qualifier Sweepstakes Award during the 2007-2008 school year. The 2008-2009 season begins in September.

Cypress Ridge High School Speech and Debate team members stand in front of the MGM Grand after competing in the National Forensic League Desert Lights National Speech and Debate Tournament in Las Vegas last week. Team members are, from left to right, Brett Gray, Sumit Verma, Bradley Rheinboldt, Lario Albarran, Stephen Samaroo, Nick Cugini and Ana Madrid.

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