SJA Speech, Debate & Forensics

Official account of St. James Academy (Lenexa, KS) Debate and Forensics. Tweeting news, results, team spirit, and more! @MrWalbergSJA

[SJA Speech, Debate & Forensics @SJA_Speech]

Did you know we also have an Insta account? It's fun. All the cool people follow it.
https://t.co/Hy8lpcmQmF

[SJA Speech, Debate & Forensics @SJA_Speech]

We were at two meets today.
At Baeshor-Linwood, Keni and Aubrey took 6th in Duo, while Sophia took 6th in H.I. and 4th in D.I.

At Lawrence High, Clara and Carlie took 2nd in Duo, while Clara was also a first place GOLD MEDAL CHAMPION in Humorous Interp.

Woot!

[SJA Speech, Debate & Forensics @SJA_Speech]

We had a big weekend at the @PaolaHighSchool Forensics Invitational, picking up 11 medals in 6 events, including 1st Place GOLD MEDAL WINNERS Carlie C in "Original Oratory", and Carlie and Clara K in "Real IDA".

Woot!

This is an artist's rendering of the medalists.

[SJA Speech, Debate & Forensics @SJA_Speech]

We have a partial squad competing today at Olathe South, with all three Thunder forensicators in finals across 5 entries.

Let's goooooo!

[SJA Speech, Debate & Forensics @SJA_Speech]

All S&D tournaments have basically an infinity need for judges, with no experience required beyond a high school diploma and a desire to give good feedback to young people trying something hard (and worthwhile!)

Is that you? WOOT!
Sign up here:
https://t.co/lPjZljLEEZ

[SJA Speech, Debate & Forensics @SJA_Speech]

It's judge recruitment season! We're hosting our Forensics Speech & Debate tournament on March 7 & 8 at St. James Academy. We co-host this with Aquinas, and it's a very good time.

[SJA Speech, Debate & Forensics @SJA_Speech]

Results from Shawnee Mission South:
Carlie C. & Clara K. took 3rd in Duo Interp.
Andrew C. took 3rd in Humorous Interp and Dramatic Interp.
Lucas F. took 4th in Humorous Interp.

Several other good ballots and nice prelims across the roster this weekend. Go Thunder!

[SJA Speech, Debate & Forensics @SJA_Speech]

Hey yo! Winter debate season opened tonight at Shawnee Mission South @smsdebate. Five medals on the first night!

Novice Lincoln-Douglas debate: 7th Joselyn W, 5th Brady A, 4th Gabby G, 1st Vivian S.

Open Lincoln-Douglas: 3rd Lucas F.

Great start! Go Thunder!

[SJA Speech, Debate & Forensics @SJA_Speech]

Only handful of people know the funny and ignoble backstory of that medal... and now you're one of the people who knows. Heh.

We can't wait to take these debaters out to play on Friday. Go Thunder!

[SJA Speech, Debate & Forensics @SJA_Speech]

We open the winter debate season (Lincoln-Douglas and Public Forum) on Friday with a bunch of new debaters. We've got 4 real novices going to their first tournament, a few policy debate novices trying a new debate event, and a handful of returners ready to level-up this season.

[SJA Speech, Debate & Forensics @SJA_Speech]

I actually competed in LD once in high school; I finished that tournament 0-4 and never really close to a win. I did get a 6th place medal though (out of a field of 6) and I display that medal in my classroom still.

[SJA Speech, Debate & Forensics @SJA_Speech]

With Policy Debate season ending last week, we switch from the intensity of policy to the kinetic energy of forensics season. Hold on tight, S&D'ers!

[SJA Speech, Debate & Forensics @SJA_Speech]

Policy Debate wrapped up its WINNINGEST SEASON at the @KSHSAA State Tournament.

In 2-Speaker, Paige and Isabella finished near the middle of the field of 35 entries.

In 4-Speaker, Bella, Will, Gabby, & Vivian S. finished tied for 4th place.

It was a good season. Go Thunder.

[SJA Speech, Debate & Forensics @SJA_Speech]

You know what was fun? This was fun. We were "clapped out" of SJA on our way to the @KSHSAA state debate tournament. Go Thunder!

[SJA Speech, Debate & Forensics @SJA_Speech]

Kansas Debate Classic snowed out? Heck no! This is one of the premier tournaments in Kansas. It flipped to Zoom debate and we're in our basements.

(@MrWalbergSJA really liked the commute today. Sure beats a 6:00 AM bus time)

[SJA Speech, Debate & Forensics @SJA_Speech]

SJA Policy Debate qualified for the 5A @KSHSAA 4-Speaker Debate tournament today. This is the first time that SJA has qualified debaters for both the 4-Speaker and 2-Speaker tournament.

Both tournaments are in Garden City on January 17 & 18.

Woot Go Thunder!

[SJA Speech, Debate & Forensics @SJA_Speech]

Policy Debate closed the regular season at Tonganoxie on Saturday. Congrats to Isabella O and Paige S for taking 4th place. Next stop: the Regional Tournament!

[Kpreps.com @kpreps]

Kansas 6A championship broadcast on NFHS is like watching a cartoon flipbook...constant glitching.

Meanwhile, every small-town YouTube broadcast all season has been flawless.

Let's figure it out.