Palisade Senior, Kennedy Stephen, is the Female Athlete of the Week brought to you by Palisade Dino Mart. Stephen competes in speech and debate in the winter and plays lacrosse in the spring. In speech in debate, Stephen is a team captain and has been on the team since her freshman year. “My sister got me in to speech and debate.” Stephen’s older sister graduated from Palisade High School in 2024. Stephen’s sister continues to be her biggest inspiration, along with other family members.
Stephen plays a huge role on the team as a role model with familiarity to speech and debate. “I bring experience to the team. After we lost our seniors last year, I am the most experienced on the team. I am ranked 3rd in the Western Slope and 29th in the state out of about 7,000 students in Colorado.” These are just a few of Stephen’s achievements. Stephen is also a three time national qualifier and a three time state qualifier, where she placed 6th at state during her Junior year.
Although speech and debate is not as recognized as other sports, Stephen still feels that it has made her a much better person and has shaped her into who she is today.
“I think that there is a stigma behind doing speech and debate because it is not celebrated as a sport. I would not be who I am or be as successful as I am without it. I think that it shouldn’t be seen in the way that it is because I think that if people experienced it then there would be a lot more respect for it and a lot more understanding for the community.” Stephen appreciates the community aspect of speech and debate as well. “I love the community and the team that we have built. Everyone in the district is such good competition and the activity has really grown. I really have enjoyed seeing people on the western slope grow throughout the years.”
The experience that Stephen brings to the team makes her a valuable member. The dedication and commitment she puts into everything that she does is what makes her the skilled and successful person she is today. Congratulations Kennedy Stephen for receiving Female Athlete of the Week!
