Abby Hanneman

Senior Annie Schuver and Lauren Jones, from Belleville West High School, attend the Jay Jansen Debate Tournament. “This tournament made me learn how I can improve myself and how to take constructive criticism,” Schuver said.

Senior Annie Schuver has been dominating the debate scene since her freshman year. She holds 13 first place titles at different tournaments.

“I was once told, ‘People are not special. People do special things.’ No one has already won the round when it begins just because they’ve had more experience or more achievements. So no matter the things I have or haven’t accomplished in the past, I have to constantly work harder and harder to prove myself in every round at every tournament. The work doesn’t stop just because it’s paid off at a given point in time,” Schuver said.

Schuver tried out for debate the first semester of freshman year.

“I love being able to deliver a message and it’s powerful to be able to bring a topic to light,” Schuver said.

Along with her numerous titles and wins, Schuver is the President and Lincoln Douglas captain of the Debate team.

“She watches and helps us all out. She wants the team to know that she’s always for the team,” junior Yasmin Younis said.

Schuver most recent win was at the Jay Janssen Oratory Contest, at Bradley University, where she won the whole competition and received a 15 thousand dollar scholarship to Bradley University.

“I was really emotional after I won because it was my friends I was running against and the judges who had coached me throughout the years,” Schuver said.

Next year, Schuver will attend Bradley University and plans on continuing her debate career.

“Annie is one the most ambitious and driven individuals I know. From the moment I met her freshmen year I knew she would be successful in debate, but I could not have guessed what an astonishing impact she would have on her teammates and me. I can honestly say I wouldn’t be the teacher I am without her,” Debate coach Cara Hurst said.