Schools

District 99 Speech, Debate Teams Receive National Awards

The speech and debate teams at North High and South High Schools in Downers Grove received numerous awards at the 2013 National Forensic League National Tournament, which was held late last month in Birmingham, Alabama.

For the third year in a row, South High received the “School of Excellence Award in Speech,” one of only 20 schools nationwide to be honored with the award.

Also, North High School 2013 graduate Alex Buckley was named national champion in “impromptu speaking”—the school’s first national champion in speech.

At South High, Natasha Prosek finished 13th in the nation in her main event, “humorous interpretation.” Prosek, who was the 2013 IHSA state champion, finished as a semi-finalist in the event, automatically qualifying her for the 2014 national tournament, which will be held next June in Kansas.

Also at South High, 2013 graduates Ammar Kalimullah was in the top 60 in “international extemporaneous speaking” and Supal Mehta was in the top 30 in the same event. Mariah Copeland placed 61st in “dramatic interpretation” and 2013 graduate Dhara Puvar finished 62nd in “oratory.”

Also representing South High were Timmy Arnold and 2013 graduates Mitch Bild, Jack LeBaron, and Julia Coulliard in “public forum debate” teams, as well as Stephanie Coupland and Alex Werner in “duo interpretation.” 

Illini District Student of the Year recipient Dan Leahy also traveled with the team.

On behalf of the team, NFL sponsor and coach Jan Heiteen accepted the “School of Excellence Award.” The award recognizes the top 20 schools whose students have the greatest number of elimination rounds at the tournament. Heiteen also received the “NFL Distinguished Service Award,” second honors at the tournament. 

“Participation in the National Forensic League tournament continues to be a highlight of a student’s forensic experience,” Heiteen said in a press release. “These students have a tradition of excellence and this group represented South with distinction.”

Also traveling with the team were coaches Elighie Wilson, Justin Matkovich, Julie Schwarz, Christopher Blum and Jennifer Hernandez.

At North High, in addition to 2013 graduate Alex Buckley being named national champion in “impromptu speaking,” he also finished eighth in “United States extemporaneous speaking,” which is the best finish that North High has ever had in a main event. Also, Nicole Smith competed in “humorous interpretation” and finished 47th.
 
North High students Katie Portman, Dan Brophy and Sarah Fantinel competed in the ”Lincoln-Douglas debate.” Portman had five winning ballots out of 12, and Brophy and Fantinel each had one winning ballot. Fantinel was also in the top 90 students out of 500 for “impromptu,” and Brophy was in the top 26 students out of 194 for “commentary.” Smith and Portman also were both in the semi-finals for “expository,” finishing 13th and 14th out of 217 students, respectively.
 
Missy Carlson serves as the speech and debate team coach and sponsor.

More than 3,200 students participated in the 2013 NFL National Tournament, one of the world's largest academic contests. The event drew visitors from across the country and as far away as China.

Top performers take home more than $200,000 in college scholarships. To attend, students must qualify at one of NFL’s 108 district tournaments. National competition occurs in ten main events.


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