Wellington Speech & Debate took a leisurely stroll to its neighbor to the east, Palm Beach Central, and left the December 11 PBCFL with an impressive number of accolades and new National Speech & Debate Association memberships.The Red Dawn Debaters took the top three spots in Novice Oral Interpretation: Maria Ramirez (1st), Madison Neltner (2nd), and Karola Ortiz Rodriguez (3rd).
In Dramatic Performance, Jaiden Lagalo-Blinston took first overall.
Two Wolverines placed second in their respective Extemporaneous Speaking events: Adrian Perez-Rodriguez in Novice Extemp, and Samuel Johnson in Varsity Extemp.
Wellington took third in two novice-specific debate events: Paula Currea in Novice Lincoln Douglas Debate, and the team of Emma Gardner & Patrick McDermott in Novice Public Forum Debate.
In Novice Congressional Debate, Emma Segfeldt took third in her chamber, Elani Mohammed placed fourth, Arthur Hu-Manning took sixth, and Noor El Tohamy was named her chamber’s top Presiding Officer. Sofia Lynch earned a gavel as her varsity senate’s top Presiding Officer.
While not taking home hardware, Carolina Aguilera scored a rare double in Congressional Debate, as she simultaneously judged and presided over a novice Congress House in the morning session.
Chiara Mirazzi took second in Novice Informative Speaking.
Wellington earned 12 new NSDA degrees, including 10 new members. Achieving the Degree of Honor (75+ points) and earning their varsity letters were David Goldberg and Patrick McDermott. Achieving the NSDA Degree of Merit degree, and lifetime membership in the largest national public speaking honor society in the world, were Sean Askari, Danielle Beaulieu, Arthur Hu-Manning, Logan Joseph, Ayman Omar, Karola Ortiz Rodriguez, Adrian Perez-Rodriguez, Maria Ramirez, Emma Segfeldt, and Alexandra Versailles.
Wellington’s final tournament of 2021 is this Saturday’s Southeast FCDI #1 @ Suncoast High School. It is open to all first- and second-year debate team members, and can be used as the performance portion of the semester exam grade. Registration closes on Tuesday.