The West High Speech and Debate team competed in the first Individual Event tournament of the year on October 13th. The tournament began at 8 a.m. and lasted until 8 p.m., consisting of two events, A and B, of an hour each. Enduring the long day and difficult competition, members of West High’s Speech and Debate team were successful.

Varsity member Grace Machado (12) stated, “I am so excited to share 1^st with the other members of West High team. I am proud of my novices.” Even those that did not win any awards such as Aditya Bahl (11) proclaim that “the loss in the tournament [creates] motivation for [them] to work harder.” Not surprisingly, many novices won awards for their diligent work. Novices like Noah Choi (9) and Namgyu Yim (9) stated, “The hard work proved to be worth it.” Humbly, Chuck Dreisler (11) stated that “[he] was happy to get the message across while winning a trophy.”

West High Speech and Debate team placed 2^nd overall out of all the other schools, and many Warrior debaters brought home trophies. The results were as follows:

Aseel Ali (9): 3^rd place in Varsity Original Interpretation.
Alanna Bledman (9): 1^st in Novice Dramatic Interpretation, 1^st in Novice Impromptu.
Noah Choi (9): 1st place in Dual Interpretation.
Namgyu Yim (9): 1^st place in Dual Interpretation.
Daniel Wang (9): 1^st in Novice Extemporaneous Speaking, 1^st in Novice Original Oratory.
Daniel Barrett (11): 1^st place in Dual Interpretation.
Chuck Dreisler (11): 2^nd in Varsity Original Oratory.
Grace Hwang (12): 1^st in Varsity Original Prose and Poetry, 2nd in Varsity Original Interpretation.
Zirwa Kainat (12): 3^rd in Varsity Original Prose and Poetry.
Grace Machado (12): 1^st place in Dual Interpretation.
Kiana Schmitt (12): 2^nd in Varsity Original Prose and Poetry, 1^st place in Dual Interpretation.
Mani Wullschleger (12): 1^st place in Dual Interpretation.

The West High Speech and Debate began the year with an amazing start.