Wellington Speech & Debate fared extremely well at the final competition of the first semester, the January 23 PBCFL.
In Extemporaneous Speaking, Samuel Johnson took first overall, picket-fencing his four rounds and earning 399 of a possible 400 speaker points. Nicholas Raney placed fourth, and Jason Miller fifth.
Jaiden Lagalo-Blinston placed second overall in both Varsity Dramatic Performance and Program Oral Interpretation.
Luis Gonzales-Mugaburu took second in Declamation.
Emma Stanfield was fourth in Novice Dramatic Performance and sixth in Oral Interpretation.
Hannah Pahl was fourth in Oral Interpretation.
Daniel Melton placed fourth in Original Oratory.
In Informative Speaking, Matthew McGann placed sixth.
In Congressional Debate, both Kayla Cho and Julien Hourdebaigt placed fourth, both Alexander Guaglione and Chelsea Gutierrez finished fifth, and Lauren Beer was sixth. Guaglione also earned a gavel for presiding over his chamber, his first time ever running a session.
Wellington earned nine National Speech & Debate Association Honor Society degrees. Jaiden Lagalo-Blinston passed the 1,500 point tally, earning the rare black Degree of Premier Distinction label for her certificate. Earning the Degree of Distinction (250 points) was Emma Gherlan, Three debaters earned the varsity letter and the Degree of Honor (75+ points) – Devaaun Blackwood, Colin Gibson, and Emma Stanfield. And earning their NSDA membership were Alexa Acosta, Destiny Cortinas, Jacob Davis, and Connor Wilson. Their certificates should arrive in early February.
Coach Gaba would like to thank the many individuals who judged this weekend: Emma Gherlan, Jaiden Lagalo-Blinston, Jenalyn Spies, Leslie Diaz, Madison Mason, Leah Lagalo Silver, Zachary Jacobson, Alicia Morales, David Alves, Jane Brock, and Michael DeLeonardo. We could not have had the successful weekend we had without your assistance!