Speech and Debate Team Wraps Up a Remarkable Season

Congratulations to all members of the team for a strong showing at the final competitions of the academic year! Read season highlights below.

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New Mexico National Qualifying Tournament, March 12-14
Seventeen Academy students participated in the three-day competition with the following eight qualifying for the national tournament in June:Domestic Extemporaneous Speaking

Ria Mazumdar ’15

Lincoln Douglas Debate

Victor Wu ’15 (also qualified in Domestic Extemporaneous Speaking)

Grace Su ’15

Public Forum Debate

Carrie Hicks ’16 and Raisa Shah ’15

Duo Interpretation

Elena Purcell ’15 and Nikka Jumalon ’15

World Debate

Jess Berry ’15

Closing the season with exceptional performances were Calvin Abdallah ’18, Nobel Barakat ’15, Patrick Clark ’17, Margaret Downs ’15, Julia Friedmann ’15, Abi Hunter ’15, Helen Liu ’17, EmmaLia Mariner ’15, and Mark Swiler ’17.

Congratulations to all, including the coaches: Susan Ontiveras, Sheridan Johnson, and Jeremy Pena.

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Speech and Debate State Tournament Cut Short Due to Weather
Due to an unusually large amount of snowfall, the State Tournament was cut short — participants only got three rounds of competition. Despite disappointment and frustration, the Academy team performed exceptionally well:

(Finalists are listed as if there would have been out-rounds.)

Congressional Debate

Victor Wu ’15 – 2nd

Grace Su ’15 – Finaled

Domestic Extemporaneous Speaking

Victor Wu ’15 – Finaled

Jess Berry ’15 and Ria Mazumdar ’15 – Tied for 2nd

International Extemporaneous Speaking

Julia Friedmann ’15 – Finaled

Oral Interpretation

Jenna Lin ’16 – 2nd

Humorous Interpretation

Blythe Johnston ’15 – Finaled

Nikka Jumalon ’15 – 1st

Duo Interpretation

Elena Purcell ’15 and Nikka Jumalon – 1st

Expository Speaking

Carly Cockerham ’17 – Finaled

Original Oratory

Grace Su ’15 – Finaled

Emma O’Connell ’15 – 1st

Varsity Lincoln Douglas Debate

Grace Su ’15 – 3rd

Novice Lincoln Douglas Debate

Julia Potter ’18 – Finaled

Public Forum Debate

Helen Liu ’17 and Patrick Clark ’17 – Finaled

Carrie Hicks ’16 and Raisa Shah ’15 – 2nd

Varsity Policy Debate

Jess Berry and Ria Mazumdar – 1st

Novice Policy Debate

Calvin Abdallah ’18 and Raffy Schleder ’18 – 2nd

Mark Swiler ’17 and Nikita Jaiswal ’19 – 3rd

Albuquerque Academy is now designated as a School of Honor, with at least 15 sweepstake points in Speech or Debate categories.

The following team members also participated and were instrumental in earning top honors at the State Tournament:

Class of 2015

Nobel Barakat, John Chappell, Nick Chun,Margaret Downs, Harley Hanes, Abi Hunter,EmmaLia Mariner, Lou Vermette, and Omar Villescas

Class of 2016

Kainoa Correa, Hugh Jenkins, Emily Louth, Anh Nguyen, Anna Rekow, Sonal Sian, and Emma Wellman

Class of 2017

Brian Bauer, Eli Binder, Prachi Kholwadwala,Eric Moreno, and Ruda Nighot

Class of 2018

Swann Baca, Lizzy Harris, Lauren Kiesel, Edwin Lu, Tarisiro Muneri, and Lindsey Parcell

Class of 2019

Stephenie Rifkin

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Seniors Make Top 32 in International Public Policy Form
Earlier in the fall season a team of four seniors — Ria Mazumdar, John Chappell, Grace Su, and Victor Wu— began competing in the 14th Annual Bickel & Brewer/New York University International Public Policy Forum (IPPF) debates (click here to read news story) and climbed to the top 32 bracket. Congratulations!

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Golden Desert Debate Tournament, January 31-February 2, 2015, Las Vegas, NV
Two seniors — Julia Friedmann and EmmaLia Mariner — competed in this national tournament, making it to the Double-Octa round with 4 wins and 2 losses. Additionally, Julia was awarded the 4th speaker overall in Public Forum debate.