Elite honors create tough choices for Moorhead’s McManamon
June 14, 2016
Much like the presidential candidate she looks up to, Moorhead High School sophomore Bridget McManamon has had some hard choices to make lately.
Choices that could possibly result in meeting the White House hopeful.
“She’s transitioned from first lady and wife to her own independence,” said McManamon of her role model, Democratic frontrunner Hillary Clinton. “As the only woman in the race, she’s risen above and is paving the way for women in politics.”
Meanwhile, McManamon has been paving her own way to national recognition.
In March, McManamon, a second-year speaker on the Moorhead High speech team, earned a spot at this week’s National Speech and Debate tournament by placing second at the district level.
Her category, extemporaneous speaking, requires her to draw a question rooted in U.S. politics or social issues, then devise and deliver a speech from memory half an hour later.
She’s one of only eight speakers from Minnesota to qualify in the event.
“Extemp. speaking has helped me so much with confidence,” McManamon said. “I can think of things quicker. I think I’ve grown this year with politics.”
And while her recent interest in politics is blossoming, much of her regional competition has spent years perfecting their craft. So it’s even more impressive to learn that McManamon gave her first extemp. speech five months ago.
Her coach, three-time NSDA qualifier Alex Gray, saw the potential early on.
“She has always been a relaxed and confident speaker,” Gray said. “She has a strong work ethic and is an effective goal-setter, so she addressed the challenge (of a new category) head-on with little difficulty.”
At the same time she was preparing for her first speech tournament of the season, a separate challenge made its way into McManamon’s hands.
During history class, McManamon was handed a flyer for ANNpower, an initiative which, according to its website, is designed to “empower young women from across the U.S. with the leadership skills they need to affect global progress, invest in their communities and begin their journeys as the next generation of leaders.”
“I’ve always been interested in the world and travel,” McManamon said. “I really want to be a politician, but I don’t run into politicians often.”
McManamon said she chipped away at the lengthy application process for weeks, usually finding time on Sundays after speech meets. She submitted her four required essays in early March, just days before qualifying for the NSDA tournament.
“I thought it would be fun. Get ready for college and write some essays,” McManamon said.
Then an invitation with flight information to New York City arrived in her email inbox. Of the more than 5,000 applicants, McManamon was one of only 50 sophomore and junior girls selected to attend the conference.
“I was so surprised,” McManamon said. “I hadn’t heard from them in such a long time.”
But once the shock of being selected wore off, McManamon and her family realized a rather large scheduling conflict.
The NSDA tournament and ANNPower conference fall on the same week in June —one in Salt Lake City and the other in New York.
“It was an awfully hard (decision),” McManamon said. “Two awesome things happen at the same time. But this is once-in-a-lifetime, and it’s what I want to pursue.”
McManamon decided to give up her speech spot for a long weekend with some of the brightest young minds in the country and a chance for mentorship from and networking with the world’s women leaders. According to McManamon, previous mentors include Melinda Gates, Malala Yousafzai, and yes, Hillary Clinton.
Beyond big name presenters, McManamon said she’s looking forward to working with other girls her age.
“I’m really excited to meet these girls, see what they’re interested in and just be inspired,” McManamon said. “They’re my age too, just trying to change the world.”
And while an opportunity like ANNPower likely won’t come again, her coaches are convinced there will be another NSDA trip — or two — in McManamon’s future.
“Her friendly demeanor and humility are characteristics rare in political discourse these days,” Gray said. “I am confident she will have other opportunities to compete at nationals.”
The NSDA tournament is June 12-17. Moorhead High set a state record in March, qualifying 19 students in speech. Updates can be found at www.spudspeech.org and www.speechanddebate.org.
- Andrew Tichy, Moorhead High Assistant Speech Coach
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