Speech and Debate Team Travels to Washington D.C. for Nationals
May 25, 2018
Photo Credit: Audrey Gabbard (used with permission)
NCFL stands for National Catholic Forensic League.
From May 25 to May 28, seven members of Academy’s Speech and Debate team along with coach Jamie Meyer will be traveling to Washington D.C. for NCFL Nationals.
“It’s very exciting that we are going to our nation’s capital during memorial day weekend of all possible weekends. It is a very exciting time to be there,” says Meyer.
This year, two juniors, three sophomores, and one freshmen are competing in the tournament.
“I’m very proud of the eight girls that qualified to go to this national tournament. The seven of them who are able to go qualified in a range of categories,” says Meyer.
“It’s my first time going to Washington so I am really excited to see the town and meet new people. Also, I am ready to compete. The entire competition is so cool,” says Salgado.
Bella Salgado (‘20) and Audrey Gabbard (‘19) are competing together in the category Duo Interpretation. Students competing in Duo Drama work together as a pair to play multiple characters in a skit, play, or excerpt from a book or movie. Salgado and Gabbard performed a humorous skit titled, “Fat Kids on Fire” by Bekah Brunstetter.
“I’m thrilled to get the opportunity to return to NCFL nationals for the second time. I’m more excited to compete in Washington because it is such a historical city, and I’m eager to meet other speech and debate kids from around the country,” says Gabbard.
Sophia Camacho (‘21) and one other student are competing in the category Declamation. Students competing in Declamation recite a memorized speech that had been previously given. Camacho speech is titled, “Confessions of a Depressed Comic.”
Vice President Kelsey Barton (‘19), Megan DeVaney (‘19), and Chloe Moussa (‘20) are competing in the category, Oral Interpretation. Students competing in this category read from a book two different piece. One piece is of which prose while the other is poetry.
“I’m very excited to travel and go to a different city to compete in such a renowned competition,” says DeVaney.
Last year, seven girls qualified and attend the tournament. Four of the girls who qualified previously qualified once again this year.
“Our team has really grown considering that only two years one student qualified for this tournament. Now we have eight girls. That increase represents a lot of teamwork,” says Meyer.