Oxford Teacher Earns Southeast Region Honor

OXFORD, Miss. (Press Release) — Dr. Barbara Lowe, who teaches English, debate and oral communications at Oxford High School, is National Federation of State High School Associations’ (NFHS) 2014-2015 Speech, Debate and Theatre Award Winner for the southeast region. The organization’s southeast region covers Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee.

Dr. Lowe began her speech and debate career while still in high school. A member of the McComb High School National Forensic League (NFL) chapter, she became a lifetime member of NFL in 1977. During her time at Tulane University, she was able to co-direct her first play, “Arsenic and Old Lace”, which was performed at McMain Magnet School in New Orleans.

After graduating with a master’s from Simmons College in Boston, Lowe took her work to The Fessenden School, a day and boarding school for kindergarten through ninth-grade boys in Massachusetts. While there, she directed four performances, one being a second production of “Arsenic and Old Lace”.

In 2004, Lowe began working at Oxford High School, where she taught four English classes and two debate classes. While at Oxford, she revived the speech and debate program, which had not had a performance for more than 15 years.

“The past 10 years have been an education in advocacy,” Lowe said. “With tremendous growth and support, I have been able to increase the involvement in Oxford’s speech and debate program to 58 students to attend 11 tournaments.”

Lowe also completed her doctorate in English at The University of Mississippi and is currently the Speech and Debate Team high school coach. Last school year she was awarded the 2013-2014 Speech, Debate and Theatre Educator Award in Mississippi.