South High received the national “School of Excellence Award” 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,” comments Heiteen. “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.
North High's Nicole Smith, Sarah Fatinel,
Coach Missy Carlson, Alex Buckley, Katie Portman and Dan Brophy
·
At North
High, in addition to 2013 graduate Alex Buckley being named national
champion in “impromptu speaking,” he also finished 8th 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.
For more information about the National Forensic League,
please visit http://nationalforensicleague.org/.
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