BROWNWOOD – October 13, 2026 – Howard Payne University’s Student Speaker Bureau (SSB) speech and debate team hosted nearly 40 students and teachers from six area high schools at their annual UIL Congressional Debate Workshop.
Team captain, Rylie Burden, senior social science-jurisprudence and Guy D. Newman Honors Academy major from Lubbock, led the workshop. She was a four-time state competitor in UIL congressional debate and a two-time state finalist.
“Helping high school students learn about the congressional debate event is one of my favorite parts of being on the HPU speech and debate team,” Burden said. “Competing in congressional debate has fundamentally impacted my success at the collegiate level, giving me the capacity to engage with diverse groups of people and advocate for causes that I hold close to my heart.”
Dr. Julie Welker, professor of communication, chair of the Department of Communication and coach of the speech and debate team, said that the workshop is a great way for area schools to learn more about the congress event and for HPU to host prospective speech and debate students on campus.
“High school students who compete in speech and debate events like congressional debate are the cream of the crop,” said Dr. Welker. “Our speech and debate team loves getting to work with them and to help give them the tools they need to succeed at their competitions.”
Participants learned about all of the major areas of congressional debate, including Robert’s Rules of Order, presiding officer rules and procedures, flowing, taglines, briefs, resources, writing bills and bill analysis, docket negotiations/politicking, clash, and presentation and personality.
Speech and debate will host its next UIL workshop on Wednesday, Oct. 28. This workshop will cover the UIL events of LD debate, CX debate, informative and persuasive speaking, prose and poetry, news writing, feature writing, editorial writing, headline writing, and copy editing.
“This is by far our largest workshop and fundraiser of the season,” Welker said. “We invite schools to participate for great hands-on instruction and to learn more about each of the events to prepare for district meets.”
Registration for the event is online at www.hputx.edu/uilworkshop.
HPU’s Student Speaker Bureau relies on donations to fund their program. To support HPU’s Student Speaker Bureau with funds to help with travel expenses and other related needs, please visit www.hputx.edu/give and select “Other” below the “Designation” heading. A space will then be provided to type “Student Speaker Bureau,” and the donation form can then be completed accordingly.
High school students interested in pursuing their undergraduate education at HPU and competing on the team should contact Dr. Welker at jwelker@hputx.edu. All members of the team must audition, and members receive a scholarship based on their previous speech and debate accomplishments.
ABOUT HOWARD PAYNE UNIVERSITY
Howard Payne University, founded in 1889, is a Christ-centered liberal arts university in Brownwood, Texas, dedicated to preparing students for lives of faith, leadership and service. With more than 100 majors, minors and pre-professional programs across six schools, serving three locations, HPU combines academic excellence with meaningful personal connection in a close-knit campus community.
Guided by its five core values — centered on Christ, focused on community, called to service, committed to excellence and dedicated to stewardship — Howard Payne prepares students through rigorous academic programs, vibrant student life, competitive athletics and service opportunities that equip graduates to make an impact in their communities and professions.