Mountain Valley Middle School (MVMS) eighth grader Eva Gurule, 13, is this year’s Comal Speaks district champion.
She won the competition today against 13 other middle-school students with a speech about identifying and overcoming a lack of confidence.
“Confidence is believing in yourself,” Gurule said.
The internet can erode students’ confidence, she said. Three ways to overcome that are self-affirmation, self-love and taking time away from the internet.
“I should show myself the same kindness I show to others,” Gurule said.
She kicked off her career as a speaker by representing Startzville Elementary at a Leader in Me assembly.
Last school year Gurule placed third in district for UIL impromptu speaking. She plans to compete again in 2024.
Two students from each middle school advanced to this year’s final district competition.
Finalists include:
- Canyon Middle School: Joel Nathan and Cora Busch
- Church Hill Middle School: Jose Jiminez-Lopez and Karmari Reed
- Danville Middle School: Juliet Ornes and Addison Bemis
- Mountain Valley Middle School: Eva Gurule and Matie Vargas Juarez
- Pieper Ranch Middle School: Can Bilir and Olivia George
- Spring Branch Middle School: Matteo Jofre and Delilah Anderson
- Smithson Valley Middle School: Sadie Alexander and Macey Wunderlich
Comal ISD kicked off the Comal Speaks competition seven years ago to challenge middle-school students to prepare and present speeches to judges about important character traits.
Students are given three minutes to prepare responses on topics relating to Comal Commitment character traits, and three minutes to present their speeches before a panel of judges.
