At the 20th Patriot Games Invitational at George Mason University this past weekend, Wellington Speech & Debate students advanced past preliminary rounds in five events.Freshman Gwen Brazzale broke in two different events. She advanced to semifinals in Oral Interpretation and quarterfinals in Declamation.
Freshman Riley Hidalgo-Gato advanced to semifinals in Congressional Debate.
In Lincoln-Douglas Debate, Emma Gardner went 4-1 in preliminary rounds and was the #9 seed overall before dropping in double octofinals.
In Impromptu Speaking, Adrian Perez-Rodriguez advanced to the semifinal round.
Wellington sent 13 students to GMU, its largest representation at the tournament ever. Seven of the students were first-year members of the program.
Wellington students earned five new National Speech & Debate Association Honor Society memberships or advanced degrees. Melody Pratz earned her Degree of Special Distinction, passing the 500-point plateau. Riley Hidalgo-Gato surpassed the 75-point mark and earned her Degree of Honor. And three first-year students earned NSDA membership and the Degree of Merit – Gwen Brazzale, Loreley Fajardo, and Gwen Mace.