The Chesterton High School Speech team attended the Valparaiso Speech Invitational last weekend and placed third as a team. Thirteen schools and more than 200 entries participated in the combined novice/varsity tournament. The tournament ran four straight rounds, without a final, and the top eight students, novice and varsity, in each event received awards.

At the varsity level junior Mikaela Meyer was the team's only champion, winning declamation. Meyer also placed fifth in original oratory. Also in varsity oratory junior Layla Mooradian placed second and senior Jennifer Kattalia finished in third. Mooradian also placed second in declamation and Kattalia was fourth in drama.

Senior Spencer Gordon was awarded the team trophy for his attitude and effort. Gordon finished second in international extemporaneous speaking and second in impromptu. Other varsity competitors placing in two events were seniors Aliyah Caraballo, fifth in prose and sixth in drama, and Humaira Khan, third in international extemporaneous and fifth in impromptu. Junior Danny Vincent also finished in two events placing sixth in humor and eighth in drama. Sophomore Andrea Drygas, attending her first speech tournament, was fourth in international extemporaneous, and sixth in impromptu.

Others placing at the varsity level were broadcasters, Robert St. Pierre (10), Galen Wong (10), and Bradley Moore (10), fourth, seventh, and eighth, respectively. In discussion juniors Simon Andrews and Zach Bogich placed third and eighth, respectively. The team of sophomore Jake Williger and junior Liz Green were second in memorized duo, and in humor junior Jami Ritchea was third and sophomore Lauren Hogan was fourth.

Also at the varsity level, sophomore Kasey O'Keefe was third in drama, followed by teammate senior Rachel Kidder in fifth. Juniors Salamn Lakhani took third in impromptu, and Anmol Patel seventh in declamation.

The team also had several novice students place at the tournament. Leading the way was junior Nate Dickinson, who was the tournament champion in broadcasting. Fellow broadcasters Sam Gordon (9) and Christopher Krause (10) finished sixth and seventh, respectively.

In addition, junior Justyn Lantz was third in novice humor and freshmen Tim Vincent and sophomore Eric Zhong were third and sixth, respectively in novice impromptu. Freshman Grant Schuster placed third in declamation, and freshman Ellen Winski finished in seventh in prose.

"We had a lot of students in second or third today. When we begin to take those placings up a notch, we'll become much more competitive," said Coach Bob Kelly.

Culver Academies won the tournament followed by Munster in second. CHS was in third, Wirt-Emerson finished fourth and Elkhart Memorial was fifth.

Coaches Kelly, Doug Pishkur, Kirsten Reed, and Eric Schaefer were joined several others, helping with judging.

Former student Jessica Cleary and CHS staff member Josh Smock, along with parents Rick and Robin Kidder, Toya Garcia, and Christine Mooradian all helped with judging.

Posted 12/3/2102