 Delgado's early experience in historic preservation, especially the National Register nomination, opened his eyes to the larger world of historic preservation beyond archaeology, while also solidly affirming what would become a lifelong quest to protect the past from looting and destruction.Encouraged by his father, Delgado also focused on public speaking, debate club, student government, and competed in public speaking contests.He won the local Optimist's Club's speaking competition in 1973 for a speech on the club's theme for that year, "Listen World."