Senior finds mentor in speech and debate coach

Most students know English teacher Erick Rector as the  hilarious and entertaining emcee at school football games. But senior Venkat Munukutla sees Rector as much more.  To Munukutla, Rector’s a coach, a mentor and, most importantly, a friend.

Rector and Munukutla have known each other since Munukutla’s freshman year, when Munukutla joined the school’s speech and debate team, which Rector coaches.

“It took awhile for us to click because at first I really wasn’t interested in speech and debate and simply didn’t see the value in it,” Munukutla said. “But when I did actively involve myself, I realized how much the coaches like [Rector] were investing in ensuring that we have everything we needed to succeed.”

Rector said he hopes Munukutla, among all of all his speech and debate students, takes his suggestions to heart.

“I hope that he trusts and values my opinions and critiques when we are going over speeches or just talking,” Rector said. “I know he puts a lot of himself in speech and debate so I want to make sure that he feels I’m doing the same for him.”

 As one of the most devoted students in speech and debate, Munukutla participates in a variety of events, though he is most committed to Lincoln-Douglas debate and original oratory.  Munukutla added that he spends practically all of his after school hours in Rector’s classroom. 

“Mr. Rector's room is like a second home for me, I basically live in his classroom,” Munukutla said. “I get out of school at 3:15 and sit in his room working on debate until 8:30.”

Rector said he is glad that Munukutla has found speech and debate to be a hobby and a place where he can lead others.

“The success that he’s had in speech and debate —  which I take a very, very small sliver of credit for — has really helped him gain confidence,” Rector said. “We talk about coaching fundamentals and leadership fundamentals with each other, and I’m happy that he takes some of my ideals and adopts them for himself.”

Rector said his relationship with Munukutla has grown outside of the classroom as well.

“When you’re a coach, and you see students outside the classroom, it’s not the same kind of teacher relationship as it is with inside the classroom,” Rector said.  “Outside the classroom  a teacher is more like coach or mentor.  My trust and faith in [Munukutla], that’s something you wouldn’t see in a classroom.”

Rector said that although most of his interaction with Munukutla results from speech and debate, the two often find time to have fun together.  

“We’ve played basketball a couple of times,” Rector said. “[Munukutla] has beaten me twice.”

Munukutla said that through the times he has spent with Rector, his coach has shaped him in many ways — especially in terms of energy.  He hopes that even after he graduates in June, Rector will continue to mentor him.  

“He always tells me that my biggest asset in speech rounds is the energy and liveliness that I bring,” Munukutla said.  “He reminds me that whatever happens, don’t lose focus and keep up the energy.”