On May 4, 2025, Millikan QUEST Senior, Kevin Perez represented not only Millikan High School but the Long Beach Unified School District as he participated in the Migrant Education Program State Speech & Debate Tournament. Through this program he was working in collaboration with Nick Salazar (Poly), Kaleb Toscano (Sato), and Julissa Lopez-Cardona (Jordan) as a team.
As a student from a Mexican migrant family and a long time Migrant Education Program student, Perez shares how his brackgroud has shaped his work ethic and perspectives on the value of educational opportunities.
“My greatest takeaway is that preparation and persistence truly pay off. Debate didn’t just teach me how to argue, but how to listen, think critically and communicate with purpose. Winning the tournament was great but growing through the process is where I found true meaning,” said Perez.
“My parents also played a huge role in my success. Their work, sacrifices, and consistent support have pushed me to aim higher and continue to persevere and stay humble,” he continued. Coached by Mr. Prado, Millikan’s English 5-6 and AP English Literature teacher, Perez and his team, of other LBUSD high schools, were awarded first place prize in the State Debate category.
Mr. Prado shares that the success from this tournament is owed to the intense preparation, time, and dedication Perez has invested.
“The state competition took more than five months [to prepare for], and once we made it to the state finals, we practiced three hours a day, four days a week,” explained Mr. Prado.
The intensity this competition demands from the participants is what sets Perez out from the rest and ultimately led him to victory. He not only continued to strive academically but invested countless hours into the Migrant Education Program with passion to ultimately achieve success.
“In order to be successful one would have to make a commitment to developing themself to a very high level. It requires a multitude of high level skills including logic, quick thinking, a strong memory and organizational skills, the ability to work in a group, and fearlessness under pressure,” said Mr. Prado.
Both Mr. Prado and Perez encourage others to try Speech and Debate for skills that will lst a lifetime. If you are interested in learning more about Speech & Debate visit Mr. Prado in 313.
Although, the practice is everything but easy, it is an intellectual challenge of research, forming arguments, and deep understanding of subject matter. The competitive nature of the environment adds pressure, managing the pressure and maintaining a positive attitude is crucial to the success of Kevin Perez and his team.
