Competition boosts GCA students’ talents

Grace Christian Academy’s October winners at the National Junior Speech & Debate Association and National Speech & Debate Association have their picture taken at the Rev. Raymond S. Kinsella library inside the school’s Navy Hill campus. (Contributed Photo)

Filomenaleonisa Iakopo had an amazing experience in joining the National Junior Speech & Debate Association competition in the 6th-8th grade category for the first time.

A 6th grader at Grace Christian Academy, Iakopo said she was nervous, excited, and confident all at the same time.

“I joined this competition was because I want to set a goal for myself that I possibly could reach. I want to make my parents proud as well as my school, my coach, and myself. I want to thank GCA for this opportunity and to my coach, Miss Grace Duran, for all the support and everything,” she added.

Iakopo, who won first place in Prose Reading, is one of the 25 GCA competitors at the NJSDA and NSDA (National Speech & Debate Association for 9th-12th grade) last Oct. 21, 2017, at Oleai Elementary School.

All of the GCA competitors emerged winners. Some won in two or all events and most of them won at least one event they joined in.

These competitions encourage public and private school students to participate in and become proficient in reading, public speaking, debate, and interpretations.

NJSDA (6TH-8TH GRADE)

Duo Interpretation A
Kei Lizama, 5th Place
Sara Elizabeth Keaton, 5th Place

Duo Interpretation B
Soleil Lamar, 2nd Place
Brandie Matsumoto, 2nd Place

Impromptu Speech C
James Alexander Keaton, 1st Place
Maria Elizabeth Bonto, 4th Place
Michelle Ji Yeon Jeon, 5th Place

Impromptu Speech D
Anthony Jacob DLG Camacho, 1st Place

Extemporaneous Speech A
James Alexander Keaton, 1st Place
Anthony Jacob DLG Camacho, 2nd Place

Prose Reading A
Ashley Ji Hye Jeon, 1st Place
Hannah Tenorio, 2nd Place
Luis Jerome Gaspar, 4th Place

Prose Reading B
Filomenaleonisa Iakopo, 1st Place

Prose Reading Masters A
Matthew Gabriel Ernest, 3rd Place
Eun Sol Ena Kim, 4th Place

Prose Reading Masters B
James Alexander Keaton, 4th Place

Poetry Reading A
Sara Elizabeth Keaton, 3rd Place

Poetry Reading Masters A
Matthew Gabriel Ernest, 2nd Place
Steven Adriatico, 5th Place

Poetry Reading Masters B
Maria Elizabeth Bonto, 4th Place

Chamorro Prose Reading
Hannah Tenorio, 4th Place

NSDA (9TH-12TH GRADE)

Dramatic Interpretation A
Kaydie Claude Aquino, 3rd Place
Seong Beom Kevin Song, 5th Place

Original Oratory A
Na Lee Christy Lee, 2nd Place
Ao Fheng Louis Zheng, 4th Place
Chener Oscar Li, 5th Place

Original Oratory B
Sumin Melody Woo, 5th Place

US Extemporaneous Speech
Arvin Dayao, 3rd Place

International Extemporaneous Speech
Lanz Jabez Victoria, 1st Place

Commentary
Lanz Jabez Victoria, 1st Place
Joshua Pajarillaga, 2nd Place
Arvin Dayao, 3rd Place

Impromptu Speech A
Arvin Dayao, 2nd Place
Na Lee Christy Lee, 3rd Place

Impromptu Speech D
Sumin Melody Woo, 2nd Place
Johnny Jin, 3rd Place

Poetry Reading Masters A
Kaydie Claude Aquino, 4th Place

Prose Reading B
Na Lee Christy Lee, 1st Place

NJSDA/NSDA coach/coordinator: Grace Duran
Competition registrar: Esther Manzano
Judges: Laila Portuguez, Courtney Poppinga, Mirasol Dayao, Aaron Cabug (PR)