Top of the World

P-Russ's recap:

SUBJECT: Our first 1st!

Good afternoon, all,

I'm writing to provide an update on this past weekend's Speech & Debate tournament, which was held at East Mountain High School down in Sandia Park. 

Thirteen students were up for a 4:30 departure to compete in a set of entirely new events such as Policy Debate, US Extemporaneous Speaking, and Impromptu. Unlike at our first tournament, all but two of these students were up against seasoned competitors as well as novices. Nevertheless, Talen Becenti was ranked best in the state even up against veteran students for Informative Speaking, netting the team our first gold since the reboot (and perhaps ever? Allison, do you know if an NPS student ever placed first previously?). Again, this is absolutely astounding for me given my previous coaching experience. At my last school, it wasn't until our second year that anyone placed first! Or even in the top 3!

Unfortunately, full results haven't been published yet, so I don't know exactly how the other 12 students did (they only announced top 3 for each event at the tournament). Rest assured that I'll send a quick follow-up email as soon as I can to celebrate our other kiddos' successes as well.

Also, a HUGE thank you to Keith, Cheryl, Susan, and Susan's daughter Sally for giving up their entire Saturdays so that we could meet our judge quota. They were even less well prepared than Anya and Roxane were last time (I know much more about the previous tournament's event!), and yet they all did a tremendous job. Also, a big thanks to Jennifer for being our logistics person and coming down to help out as well, and to Edith for being a great bus driver. And a belated thanks to Mary for getting us there and back again last time! Oh! And to Kat for watching my kids so I could go! It really takes a village!!!

Less than two weeks til the next one! 🤪

Best,

John

Addendum:

Full results have finally been released, so, as promised, here's the info on the other rankings for this past weekend's tournament. Results were a little messy this time, so while I can't say for certain how exactly each person ranked, I can report the following with a high degree of certainty.

These students made the top 5 in their events:

• Rodericka Hale-Toledo (US Extemporaneous Speaking)

• Aspyn Kaskalla (Informative Speaking)

• Cicita Tafoya (US Extemporaneous Speaking)

These students made the top 10 in their events:

• Natashia Anderson (Novice Lincoln Douglas)

• Tamarron Austin (Informative Speaking)

• Jordyn Begay (Novice Lincoln Douglas)

• Ciera Charley (Impromptu Speaking)

• Niejah Davis (Varsity Policy Debate)

• Josiah Dineyazhe (Impromptu Speaking)

• Haley Manygoats (US Extemporaneous Speaking)

• Ceanna McCray (Impromptu Speaking)

• Aspyn Kaskalla (US Extemporaneous Speaking)

• Cayele Wilson (Varsity Policy Debate)

This means that literally every single one of our students who showed up ranked in at least the top 10 in at least one of the events in which they participated. Although each of these events had smaller registrations than Congressional did at our first tournament, there is still only one word for this: unbelievable!

Please congratulate these kiddos (and don't forget Talen!). This is truly amazing, and I couldn't be prouder of our team.

Best,

John