In the midst of winter, the Walpole High School Speech Team traveled to Fort Lauderdale, Fl. to compete in the Sunvitational Tournament held at Nova Southeastern University School. Upon returning home, The National Speech and Debate Association awarded the team with a plaque and letter to congratulate them for earning charter status within the association.
“This designation demonstrates that under your leadership, not only is the team growing and competing at a high level, but you and your students uphold the highest standards of integrity, humility, respect, leadership, and service in our organization,” Executive Director J. Scott Wunn said in his letter to the team.
This year marks the second year that the team participated in the Sunvitational Tournament. To minimize the cost per student, the team needed to fundraise for the trip. Team members and parents collaborated, and they were able to raise money at school events, receive donations, hold raffles, sell food to flowers and host the Novice Tournament in October.
“Though preparing our school for [the Novice Tournament] was a lot of work, we had fun and made hundreds of dollars from our raffle table, concession stand and tournament fees,” junior Maggie Wall said.
The Sunvitational Tournament was a national tournament—open to everyone—with nine speech events, so it was more restricted than other tournaments in Massachusetts. In Massachusetts, speech and debate tournaments may have varying special events that are unique to the state.
“It was a great experience for our students because not everyone can qualify and go to nationals,” head coach Emily Murray said. “I think it was great for [the team] to have that nationals feel without having to qualify.”
Senior Ava Straccia and Wall were both able to place in the Sunvitational Tournament this year. Straccia placed eighth out of 55 in humorous interpretation, and Wall placed 22nd out of 64 in impromptu speaking. Last year, the team had four finalists: Ellen Irmiter, Josh Bubly, Mahoney Cyr and Straccia.
“As much as I love this activity, and I love that we gets results and trophies, it’s really about building skills, being kind, and having a good team outlook,” Murray said. “For me, a big highlight was the compliments I received from so many adults who interacted with Walpole students. [They] were just a real joy to hear.”
While varsity members were in Florida, other novice members of the team travelled to Newton-South to compete. Three members earned honorable mentions: junior Sydney Nossal, and sophomores Katerina Gebhardt and Matthew Ong. Junior Grace Buckley won fifth place and Top Novice, and freshman Erin Ledwith won sixth place, both in play reading. Overall, Walpole won a trophy, as they placed 10th out of 35 schools.
“Since a majority of the team went to Florida, I really got to know some of the other members on the team,” Buckley said. “Joining speech and debate has been really rewarding, and I’ve definitely gotten more confident speaking in front of crowds. You get to really challenge yourself and grow, and I’m so happy I joined this year.”
The team had two days of competing and two days with freedom to go to the beach or do other things, so there was time for the team to bond and further their relationships with other members.
“I love tournaments because it provides the team with a chance to hang out with people they might not usually get to see,” junior Emily Tomasetti said. “Everyone roots for each other, so a really supportive and friendly environment is created. Our team is definitely one of the most spirited teams in the [Massachusetts Speech and Debate League], and you can definitely see it at every tournament we attend.”
As for the future, the team hopes to participate in a national tournament held at Harvard University in Cambridge. Every member is able to compete at Harvard, and this promotes the team’s goal to compete at more feasible national tournaments.
“I competed at Harvard when I was a senior in high school,” Murray said. “I placed in the top 25, so for myself, it’s a special tournament.”
Similarly, members of the Speech Team—including junior Ava Jingozian, Wall, Tomasetti, and Cyr—all aspire to return to Florida, compete in more tournaments, try new events, win more awards, expand the team’s size, and make more friends.
“Speech has really changed my high school experience, and has made me so much more confident,” Jingozian said. “I am so grateful to have a team that is so supportive of each other and loves to watch others succeed.”