Flying through forensics

The Grace Christian Academy Eagles from Kindergarten to 12th grade continue to fly through forensics as they compete for the last monthly qualifying competition in January except for the National Speech & Debate Association, which has one more competition in February. Even with a lesser number of competitors in all levels, GCA competitors still won several awards in the January competition.

Amanda Haas, GCA 4th grade teacher and coach who has been actively involved in the Primary Grades Forensic Conference, said that all her students who competed at least twice in the monthly competitions all qualified to compete in the PGFC regional competition, which will be held at GCA in March.

Miss Amanda, as her students call her, has judged all the PGFC competitions.

She said she has enjoyed getting involved in PGFC as both a classroom coach and a judge. It has been a huge learning experience for her because this year is the first year she has ever participated in a competition like this one. She has learned so much from judging or even just keeping time, and getting to watch not only GCA students, but students from other schools as well.

“It has been amazing to see how the students take pride in their talents and abilities, and compete with confidence. It is also encouraging to see progress from competition to competition, as the students continue practicing and note their own successes. I have celebrated their victories silently behind my computer screen at home, when the results are posted – but my favorite is when I get to see the bright faces of my students and we are able to celebrate together,” she said.

PRIMARY GRADES FORENSIC CONFERENCE

KINDER-2ND GRADE DIVISION
Humorous Interpretation B
Akira Ito, 5th Place

Impromptu Speaking A
Mariska Badal, 1st Place
Sofia Cariaso, 4th Place

Impromptu Speaking B
Arielle Mae Matutino, 2nd Place
Min Su Andy Kim, 5th Place

Readers Forum Masters B
Aiyana Victory Fatialofa, 3rd Place

Choral Speaking A
Mariska Badal, 3rd Place
Sofia Cariaso, 3rd Place
Hannah Gabaldon, 3rd Place
Caroline Chuyao Sun, 3rd Place

3RD-5TH GRADE DIVISION

Dramatic Interpretation A
Tae Hee Kim, 3rd Place
Jennifer Woo, 5th Place

Humorous Interpretation A
Ashley Ji Hye Jeon, 1st Place
Serim Woo, 2nd Place

Humorous Interpretation B
Sena Woo, 2nd Place
William Matthew Cano, 3rd Place
Azriel Fatialofa, 4th Place

Duo Interpretation A
Moira Grace Ernest, 1st Place
Seungeun Olivia Ha, 1st Place

Impromptu Speaking A
Sena Woo, 2nd Place

Impromptu Speaking B
Eunice Nicole Pagaduan, 1st Place
Moira Grace Ernest, 2nd Place

Impromptu Speaking C
Serim Woo, 2nd Place
Angieleysha Marie Punzalan, 3rd Place
Sara Elizabeth Keaton, 4th Place

Readers Forum A
Earl Jean Jonathan Pantaleon, 3rd Place

Readers Forum Masters A
Eunice Nicole Pagaduan, 1st Place

Readers Forum Masters B
Tae Hee Kim, 1st Place
Jennifer Woo, 2nd Place
Azriel Fatialofa, 3rd Place
Alyssa Kim, 5th Place

Readers Forum Masters C
Yellena Sarang Kim, 3rd Place
Rafael Busby, 5th Place

Teachers/coaches:
K5 Teacher, Sheryl Joy Prieto
1st Grade Teacher, Courtney Poppinga
2nd Grade Teacher, Miriam Dilse
3rd Grade Teacher, Rosanna Lopez
4th Grade Teacher, Amanda Haas
5th Grade Teacher, Leah Garfil
PGFC Coach/Coordinator, Esther Manzano
Judges/volunteers: Courtney Poppinga, Amanda Haas, Marilyn Aldan, Joan Taitano, Desolie Calayo,

NATIONAL JUNIOR SPEECH & DEBATE ASSOCIATION
6TH-8TH GRADE

Lincoln Douglas Debate
Na Lee Christy Lee, 3rd Place

Duo Interpretation A
Haeun Emily Lee, 2nd Place
Gayeon Angela Kim, 2nd Place

Impromptu Speech B
Na Lee Christy Lee, 2nd Place

Impromptu Speech C
Matthew Gabriel Ernest, 2nd Place

Impromptu Speech E
Jonathan Lee, 2nd Place

Extemporaneous Speech A
Na Lee Christy Lee, 1st Place
Anthony Jacob Camacho, 3rd Place

Poetry Reading Masters B
Haeun Emily Lee, 3rd Place

Poetry Reading Masters C
Michelle Ji Yeon Jeon, 3rd Place

Prose Reading Masters C
Haeun Emily Lee, 2nd Place
Gayeon Angela Kim, 4th Place

Prose Reading Masters D
Jonathan Lee, 4th Place

NATIONAL SPEECH & DEBATE ASSOCIATION
9TH-12TH GRADE

Dramatic Interpretation A
Yujin Lee, 1st Place

Dramatic Interpretation B
Tae Yong Kim, 1st Place
Sein Woo, 5th Place

Original Oratory A
Minna Natsuko Ito, 1st Place

US Extemporaneous Speech
Martin Angelo Pangilinan, 4th Place
Arvin Dayao, 5th Place

International Extemporaneous Speech
Lanz Jabez Victoria, 4th Place

Impromptu Speech A
Tae Yong Kim, 5th Place

Impromptu Speech C
Minna Natsuko Ito, 1st Place
Arvin Dayao, 2nd Place
Johnny Jin, 5th Place

Impromptu Speech D
Minna Natsuko Ito, 1st Place
Arvin Dayao, 2nd Place
Johnny Jin, 5th Place

Commentary
Arvin Dayao, 4th Place
Lanz Jabez Victoria, 5th Place

Poetry Reading Masters A
Tae Yong Kim, 1st Place

Poetry Reading Masters B
Yujin Lee, 1st Place

Prose Reading Masters A
Sumin Melody Woo, 2nd Place

NJSDA/NSDA coach/coordinator Grace Duran
Competition registrar Esther Manzano
Judges: Pastor Connie Chandler, Joan Taitano, Pastor Daniel Dilse, Miriam Dilse