Speech and Debate Team

Speech And Debate Team Tackles Competitions

St. Mary’s Dominican High School Speech and Debate Team posted several wins at events during the school term. In October, junior Shania Raimer placed second in the Lincoln Douglas Debate and second in Original Oratory at the Southside Shark Showdown Speech and Debate Tournament. The Lincoln Douglas Debate is a oneon-one style debate that focuses on the philosophy of the resolution being argued. Ten high schools competed virtually in the Southside Shark Showdown, part of the Louisiana High School Speech League.

In January, Inchara Anand and Isabella Paul took 1st Place in Duo Interpretation at the virtual Trinity High School Shamrock Invitational in Kentucky. The students performed a shortened version of the play, Perfect, by Alan Haehnel. Competing at the virtual Star Valley Invitational in Wyoming, Shania Raimer was awarded 2nd Place overall in Original Oratory Topic – Tribalism. She discussed the damaging effect that political tribalism has on our country and some ideas to correct the issue.

St. Mary’s Dominican High School students, (from left), Imad Siddiqui, Grace Mandella, Sahithi Koneru, Diana Nguyen, Shania Raimer, and Selae Walker. Not Pictured: Aya Elmadah and Rachel Tatford.

At the Benjamin Franklin Speech and Debate Tournament, held virtually, the following students received awards: Shania Raimer, 1st Place, Impromptu Speaking and 1st Place, Original Oratory – Tribalism; Aya Elmadah, 2nd Place, Original Oratory – Toxic (how modern beauty standards have become more dangerous than ever); Rachael Tatford, 3rd Place , Original Oratory – Destroying Ecosystems and Winning Trophies (how big game hunting hurts ecosystems); Selae Walker, 3rd Place, Congress; Sahithi Koneru and Imad Siddiqui , 1st Place, Public Forum; Diana Nguyen and Grace Mandella, 3rd Place, Public Forum.

In February, Inchara Anand and Isabella Paul placed 3rd in Duo Interpretation at the West Bend East Tournament in Wisconsin.

At the Louisiana Tournament of Champions held in April at Southside High School, sophomore Zoha Mahmood competed in Congress; Shania Raimer competed in Lincoln Douglas; Sahithi Koneru and Imad Siddiqui competed in Public Forum debate and won second overall.