If you ask any typical girl or boy in college, they would probably say that high school sports were their thing. Either they played or 99 percent of the time went to the games. For me, that was the worst part of high school. My high school experience was anything but ordinary. Just a month into freshman year, I joined the speech and debate team. Little did I know that this part of would be a fundamental part of my life forever.

I spent my Thursday nights doing last-minute research and shopping for the perfect lipstick shade. I spent my Friday nights arguing about animal rights, attorney-client privilege, Kant’s categorical imperative, John Rawls’ Hierarchy of Needs, etc. I spent my Saturdays in my ultimate favorite pink suit delivering speeches regarding life extension Indian stereotypes, Pinterest addicts, and the inflation of a college education. In those three days, I got out maybe 16 to 18 hours of sleep (sounds enough but it's not). But within those tiring 72 hours, I was always with my best friends.

At my high school, we became the ultimate group, essentially. Every time we weren’t together, we were talking in our group message. (Let’s be real, we were always in my coaches’ room even during lunch.) We also befriended those out of our team, too. Especially me. My absolute best friend went to a high school two hours away from mine. Come next year we’ll be six and a half hours apart.

Abby Nguyen is my person. No matter how great/bad one of us did while the other did the opposite, we always supported each other. In fact, Abby texted me one round to tell me we both made finals when we both thought we bombed it (literally cried that time). Though we’re currently five hours apart, I never fail to surprise my BFF at tournaments.

Fifteen to 18 freshmen joined the team my freshmen year. During my senior year, only five of us remained. Five. The other four individuals hold a very special place in my heart. We’re all at a different places right now, but we keep up with each other.

But speech and debate wouldn’t have played the role it did if it weren’t for our coach. To the person who pushed us, helped us, and was there for us, thank you. I can’t thank you enough for bring such a valuable experience into my life.

Most important of all, a huge thank you to my mom and brother. There were more times than not when I wanted to quit because I felt too busy or unintelligent. But those two individuals pushed. Supported me. Helped me.

Speech and debate might have taken some of my sanity, but it gave me so much—knowledge, friendship, and mentors. Yeah, high school sports or the cliché high school experience didn’t make my high school time extraordinary. But suits on the weekends with my BFFs did.

Speech and debate, thank you. Thank you for the infinite inside jokes. Thank you for always being my favorite activity to look forward to. Thank you for making high school better.

SUIT UP.