At it again for another Athlete of the Week who is in our Speech and Debate. Palisade’s Speech and Debate club competes in tournaments and has many individual speech performances. Speech and debate is an impressive club and spend many hours preparing for tournaments and competitions. This week, we are honoring this member of the club Junior Max Bourkovski.
Bourkovski states “Over my time in the speech and debate club I have gained confidence to be able to speak in front of an audience.” That confidence didn’t come overnight. Max has put in the work late practices, early mornings, and the courage to keep stepping up in front of judges and crowds. His growth shows not only in his performances, but in the way he carries himself around Palisade High School. He’s become someone that younger members look up to, proving that confidence is something you build, not something you’re born with. Bourkovski states, “Speech and Debate has changed my life more than doing other sports they have beat me down but speech and debate really have helped me find my voice. I enjoy researching and opening my perspective up to new things that I haven’t thought about opening up to is really beneficial.”
Bourkovskis commitment to improving his public speaking skills and supporting his teammates makes him a standout member of the club. Whether he’s preparing for a tournament or cheering on others, he brings a level of focus and positivity that lifts the whole team. Recognizing him as Athlete of the Week is just one small way to celebrate the effort he puts in behind the scenes.
