The University of Nebraska-Lincoln is celebrating one of its students for an achievement seldom reached.Â
Becca Human, a senior English and political science major from Gretna, won an individual national championship for the Husker speech and debate team in the extemporaneous speaking category last month. Her victory marks just the 10th time in the team's 148-year history that an individual has won a national title in any category.Â
"I've had a hard time letting it sink in because it still doesn't even feel real," Human said this week. "There are so many people who pour their heart into this and don't get that moment. I won't take it for granted."
This year's national tournament was held at the University of Alabama from April 5-7. There, the Husker speech team placed eighth overall among 60 schools.Â
"It was pretty amazing to be there and to have the team do so well," said Aaron Duncan, the director of UNL speech and debate.Â
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In extemporaneous speaking, students receive a question on current events and have 30 minutes to prepare a seven-minute speech.Â
During their preparation, students use news sources and research articles to back up their claims. In order to reach the final round, Human had to advance through three preliminary rounds, a quarterfinal round and the semifinals.
"Every round is kind of a question mark on its own," Human said. "You never see anyone else competing, so you don't know how you stack up against anyone else."
Human competed in six events at the national tournament, an invitational in which only the top 10 percent of speech and debate competitors are invited to participate.Â
In her previous three years on the Husker team, Human had never advanced to the final round at nationals. This year, she advanced to three final rounds — extemporaneous speaking, impromptu speaking and persuasive speaking. She finished first, second and fourth, respectively.Â
"To make the final round in one event is great," Duncan said. "To make it in three is incredible."
For Human's final round of extemporaneous speaking, her question was: "Will the current political turmoil in Venezuela turn into a proxy war between the United States and Russia?"
"I was happy I got that question," Human said. "A lot of extemp speaking is making sure you keep up with current events so that you don't go into competition completely blind."
Despite her success, there was a time that Human doubted whether she was cut out to compete in extemporaneous speaking.Â
"One of my coaches basically forced me to try extemp a few years ago," Human said. "I was scared to do it. I didn't think I was smart enough."
Next year, Human is heading to Harvard Law School.
"There are some really important topics being discussed in speech," Human said. "It's a place to advocate for what you believe in and for people to get emotionally invested. That results in a lot of personal growth."
According to Duncan, Human led by example during her four years on the team.
"The team saw her leadership and work ethic and then saw how it all paid off," Duncan said. "I think she's a perfect example of taking what's given to you and dedicating yourself to something great."