Name: Yogashri Pradhan Hometown/High School: Sugar Land/ Clements High School Year/Major/Concentration: First year/ Petroleum Engineering Main Events: Extemp, Impromptu, CA How long have you been doing speech: This is my 5th year doing forensics Why do you like forensics: Because it’s fun and I learn awesome skills Why UT Austin? I primarily chose UT because of the engineering program. I also chose UT because there are so many organizations I can join. A large campus and a lot of people help me expand my horizons The team is… awesometastic The coaches are… an amazing source of inspiration Best advice I ever received: I heard this from multiple people–Act like like you don’t need the success, but you…

Name: Fernando Morales Hometown/High School: Houston Tx/ Cypress Ridge High school Year/Major/Concentration: Freshmen/Public Relations Main Events: Duo and POI How long have you been doing speech? This is my third year doing speech Why do like forensics? Forensics gives me that chance to perform something that will make a difference in someones life. Why UT Austin? UT-Austin has so many great resources to use. Its a wonderful campus and amazing city. The team is… a family is that you can always have fun with and depend on. The coaches are… very helpful and always a blast to work with. Best advice you ever received: “Never let anyone tell you that you can’t do something.” Describe…

Name: Natasha Halfin Hometown/High School: San Antonio, MacArthur HS Year/Major/Concentration: Freshman, International Relations and Global Studies Main Events: DI and ADS How long have you been doing speech? 4 years Why do like forensics? Forensics provides an outlet for me to express myself and challenge myself, while simultaneously allowing me to learn from my peers and form bonds with them. Why UT Austin? UT epitomizes the college experience and is full of opportunities and excitement. I knew I wanted to go to a big school that excelled in numerous academic subjects. Additionally, I knew that the speech team was very prestigious and I wanted to be a part of it. The team is… crazy, goofy, supportive, and loving. I felt accepted…

Name: Lario Jose Albarran Hometown/High School: Houston, Cypress Ridge High School Year/Major/Concentration: Freshman, Computer Science & Rhetoric and Writing Main Events: Duo, Prose How long have you been doing speech? This will be my 6th year. Why do like forensics? Forensics gives me an opportunity to express myself in a way that no other activity can successfully attempt to. It’s an art and an intellectual discovery all wrapped in ten minutes for others to see. How often do people let others peek into their thoughts with some other form of activity? Why UT Austin? I applied to schools only focused on the reputation and prestige of the school’s computer science department. Once I chose to…

Name: Chelsea Sandlin Hometown/High School: Fullerton Union High School in Fullerton, CA Year/Major/Concentration: Freshman, Public Relations Main Events: Duo, Prose, and Poetry How long have you been doing speech? Since my Freshman year of high school, so this is year five. Why do like forensics? I love forensics because I get to be part of the most amazing community of people I’ve ever known. It allows me to be surrounded by so much passion and ambition all the time; it’s just a constant source of inspiration. Why UT Austin? I’ve always had a bit of an infatuation–although some might say obsession–with the state of Texas. I’m from California, but I’m a cowgirl at heart. UT…