Speech and Debate Team Takes Honors at Final Regular Season Tournament

The speech and debate team began their season with many students placing at the Baltimore Catholic League Competition. Under the leadership of Mr. Brian Shouse and Ms. Emily Mandile, members competed in Lincoln-Douglas (LD) debates at the Varsity and Junior levels, Public Forum at the Varsity and Junior Varsity levels, and Congress.

Affectionately called “Speechies” by their teammates, speech members competed in Children’s Literature, Impromptu, Extemporaneous Speaking, Original Oratory, Poetry and Prose, and Declamation. Former Reservoir students also participated in dramatic and duo performances.

A range of events and competitions take place monthly from September to March, leading to a more extensive national competition. Almost every day of the week, speech and debate team members practiced in the media center after school. Debate events met on Monday and Wednesday, Speech on Tuesday and Thursday, and the whole team meetings on Friday before Saturday meets.

Debate members researched cases and prepared arguments for both sides of their debates. The LD debate focused on approaching the topic from a philosophical perspective. This Public Forum examined current events focusing on an assigned topic. Congress planned speeches for a list of bills likely to be presented during the session while being coached virtually with Reservoir alums and former William Woods Tate, Jr. 2022 National Student of the Year, Arjun Banerjee. Each speech event had a prescribed method of practice based on established rules. Speech coach Ms. Mandile oversaw rehearsal and provided feedback.

On Saturday February 11, the team competed in the final regular season tournament at Towson High School. Shout outs to:

• Lynelle Essilfie – Gold in Impromptu Speaking (with a perfect score)
• Mohammed AbdulMujeeb – Honorable Mention in Impromptu
• Nikhil Narayanan – Honorable Mention in Impromptu
• Sean Kim – Bronze in Lincoln-Douglas Debate
• Ann Cullum – Bronze in Lincoln-Douglas Debate
• Azeemah Odusanya & Ava Xu – Gold in JV Public Forum Debate
• Azeemah Odusanya – Bronze Speaker Award in JV Public Forum Debate
• Jeremy Wong & Xavier Bialczak – Silver in Public Forum Debate
• Neil Chibber & Riley Jackson – Gold in Duo Interpretation
• Rachel Tanner – Silver in Children’s Literature
• Evan Borodin – Silver in Original Oratory
• Amanda Wickstrom – Silver in Congressional Debate

Mr. Shouse said, “Those who did not medal still excelled—there were a lot of just-off-the-podium finishes! This was a really fabulous showing; we ended the regular season on a high note. We will now be shifting our focus to States and Nationals! I also want to shout-out team alumni Ryleigh Griffen and Kristin Perry and the parents of current team members for helping out at the tournament to make this success possible!”

Earlier in the school year, the team competed at Arundel High School for The Baltimore Catholic Forensic League’s third meet. Twenty-one students attended, eight in the Varsity LD, three in JV LD, six in Congress, two in Varsity Public Forum and two in JV Public Forum, four speech participants, two in Impromptu, one in Exempt, and two in Children’s Literature.

Neil is known for his witty Children’s Literature performance of “The True Story of the Big Bad Wolf” and “The Three Little Pigs.” Neil said, “The team is like a family. We all have fun with each other. I
originally joined because I had a friend on the team, and now I have made more.”

Founding member and current head team coach, Mr. Shouse shared the goal of seeking out students who may have yet to find the right club, organization, or sport and are looking for a place to engage in fun and demanding competition. As competitions continue to practice their skills, RHS is sure to see more success coming to our Speech and Debate Team.

Anyone interested should attend an upcoming meeting and speak to Mr. Shouse or Ms. Mandile.