Speech and Debate wins at Cypress College

Two SDA speech and debate students placed first in the Cypress Invitational Tournament at Cypress College last weekend. Twenty-two students participated in the two-day tournament which consisted of six different events .

Half of the SDA student participants placed in a wide array of events.

Junior Veronica Vilicich placed 1^st in OI with an excerpt from “Embrace your Inner Girl” by Eve Ensler. OI is an oratorical interpretation, where one gives a  serious speech.

Two students placed in a policy debate, once as a solo event and once as a partner event. Senior Blue Flood won 1^st in policy, as well as a best speaker award in this event. Junior Jin Qian and Flood also were policy semifinalists.

Two students placed in DI, a dramatic interpretation in which one emotionally performs from a speech or a play excerpt. Sophomore Halle Schaffer placed 4^th with a dramatic reading of “The Tell Tale Heart” by Edgar Allen Poe. Junior Joice He placed 5^th with an excerpt from “The Heroin Diaries” by Nikki Sixx.

Two students placed in public forum debate, once as a solo event and once as a partner event. Seniors Josh Tashoff and Evan Davies took home 2^nd with their partner public forum debate. Tashoff also placed 5^th on his own, and a best speaker award for his speech.

Three students placed in parliament debates, twice as a solo event and once as a partner event. Sophomore Ronan McDonnell placed 2^nd and was awarded best speaker. Juniors Tate Oien and Vilicich placed 3^rd with their partner debate.  Oien also placed 9^th on his own and a best speaker award.

Nick Swetlin placed 7^th in the original prose and poetry event with an original piece, ‘Andrew Doubter: An Odd Addiction.’

Sophomore Alex Holzman placed 3^rd with an original expository piece about the Chargers.