McKinley Speech Finished Strong at Nationals!

By Manuel Halkias, Speech Coach

Four members of the Speech and Debate team competed at the national tournament in Phoenix, Arizona in June.

State champion Sasha Greer was a quarterfinalist finishing 19th out of 266 champions from all over the nation in humor. She received a beautiful quarterfinalist plaque as she advanced through ten rounds of competition.

Jessie Mayle was a double octafinalist in Original Spoken Word Poetry.

Nevaiah Mayle Competed in Original Oratory and Kassandra Ketchum competed in Prose reading and storytelling. Assistant Coach Todd Michael was in the pool to judge three final rounds.

Coach Manuel Halkias was selected to judge the final round of Dramatic Interpretation and to emcee and host the final round of storytelling. He also served as a tournament official.

Former McKinley CCSD teacher and director of speech and debate Alan Rubinstein was in attendance. Halkias was excited to see him for the first time in over 25 years. He is 91 and lives with his wife live in Arizona.