During the weekend of April 4th and 5th the Speech and Debate Team traveled to Delhi, New York to compete in the New York State Forensic League State Championship Tournament. This year the host school was Delaware Academy. In order to qualify students must receive qualifications in two separate tournaments finishing in the top of their respective categories. The Long Island League is one of the toughest in all of New York. Throughout the weekend hundreds of student from the various schools could be seen performing their selections or debating their given topics. All students would compete in five rounds on Saturday and then subsequent qualifying final rounds on Sunday. This year Kellenberg Memorial qualified ten students to compete at this year’s tournament. Kellenberg’s contingent consisted of Seniors Jennifer Puthota (Varsity Debate), Shannon Connolly (Drama), Alexandra Belize (Original Oratory), Tonia Hall (Original Oratory), Erin Von Elm (Drama), Sophomores Fiona Danyko (Junior Varsity Oral Interpretation), Maegan Cross (Junior Varsity Oral Interpretation), Adriell Louis (Junior Varsity Oral Interpretation), Nora Nugent (Novice Debate) and Freshman Allison Occhiuto (Novice Debate). Overall the team performed very well. Freshman Allison Occhiuto won three of her five debates on Saturday debating the top of humanitarian aid. This record enabled Allison to qualify to the double octo final rounds on Sunday. In the end Allison finished as one of the top sixteen novice debaters in the state. There were over fifty debaters in her category. Senior Shannon Connolly performing her drama piece entitled Amanda was able to break into the semifinal round, putting her in the top twelve in drama. Shannon ended up finishing in ninth place. Overall it was an extremely successful weekend and the team is looking forward to continuing success next school year.
Categories: Activities, Kellenberg Features
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