Cy Ranch HS senior wins TFA Impromptu Speaking state title
Cypress Ranch High School senior Hunter Payne won a state title in Impromptu Speaking at the Texas Forensic Association State Tournament, held March 6-8 at Katy Jordan High School.
March 26, 2025—Cypress Ranch High School senior Hunter Payne was named state champion in Impromptu Speaking at the Texas Forensic Association (TFA) State Tournament held March 6-8 at Katy Jordan High School, marking the first speech and debate state title in Cypress Ranch history.
Impromptu Speaking requires students to draw three topics and choose one as a starting place to formulate an argument. Students have two minutes to prepare and then must give a five-minute speech. Payne initially competed against 90 other students in Impromptu Speaking and was one of six to compete in finals.
“Winning TFA state just felt really fulfilling for me,” Payne said. “After spending four years working my way through debate, winning a state title was a really incredible way to close off my senior year. It’s not just the fact that I won that was so significant, but really the fact that it was the culmination of years of effort.”
The 2025 TFA State Tournament saw more than 1,400 students from across the state compete in 16 events. The TFA State Tournament is open to all Texas public and private school students.
“I can’t imagine anybody better to have Cypress Ranch’s first speech and debate state title than Hunter,” said Ryan Hennessey, Cypress Ranch speech and debate director. “Hunter has been an incredible competitor and exemplifies what Cypress Ranch and CFISD are all about.”
Cy Ranch HS senior wins TFA Impromptu Speaking state title
Cypress Ranch High School senior Hunter Payne won a state title in Impromptu Speaking at the Texas Forensic Association State Tournament, held March 6-8 at Katy Jordan High School.
March 26, 2025—Cypress Ranch High School senior Hunter Payne was named state champion in Impromptu Speaking at the Texas Forensic Association (TFA) State Tournament held March 6-8 at Katy Jordan High School, marking the first speech and debate state title in Cypress Ranch history.
Impromptu Speaking requires students to draw three topics and choose one as a starting place to formulate an argument. Students have two minutes to prepare and then must give a five-minute speech. Payne initially competed against 90 other students in Impromptu Speaking and was one of six to compete in finals.
“Winning TFA state just felt really fulfilling for me,” Payne said. “After spending four years working my way through debate, winning a state title was a really incredible way to close off my senior year. It’s not just the fact that I won that was so significant, but really the fact that it was the culmination of years of effort.”
The 2025 TFA State Tournament saw more than 1,400 students from across the state compete in 16 events. The TFA State Tournament is open to all Texas public and private school students.
“I can’t imagine anybody better to have Cypress Ranch’s first speech and debate state title than Hunter,” said Ryan Hennessey, Cypress Ranch speech and debate director. “Hunter has been an incredible competitor and exemplifies what Cypress Ranch and CFISD are all about.”