Speech and Debate: Thunder score big in national meet

Desert Vista's Speech Theater and Debate Company has proven again it can talk the talk.

The Thunder were one of only 13 schools from around the country to earn a School of Excellence Award at the National Forensic League national tournament last week Birmingham, Ala.

The annual NFL tournament attracts 5,000 students and coaches from around the United States.

Although there is no sweepstakes or national championship, Desert Vista earned the fourth highest total in the nation based on points earned through elimination rounds.

The Thunder also placed fourth last season making them the only Arizona high school to repeat as a School of Excellence winner.

Points are awarded only in a minimum of 50 elimination rounds and Desert Vista scored 113 points through 87 rounds.

Members of the team that earned points were:

Kathryn Cotton, a finalist and fifth place in Poetry Interpretation and octa-finalist in Dramatic Interpretation, placing her in the top 60 in the nation.

Jennifer Gladstone, finalist and sixth place in Dramatic Interpretation.

Brittany Stanchick, finalist, Student Congress Debate (top 14 in nation).

Mike Watson, semifinalist and 10th nationally in Extemporaneous Speaking (top 14 in nation).

Greg Hietala, semifinalist, Student Congress Debate.

Rebecca Kim, quarter finalist, Extemporaneous Speaking.

Holly Nordquist and Mike Mazzella, quarter finalist, Duo Interpretation (top 30 in nation).

Paige Sager and Hannah Jiam, octa-finalist, Duo Interpretation.

Xi Lin, double octa-finalist, Lincoln-Douglas Debate.

Anna Gunderson, octa-finalist, Extemporaneous Speaking.

Mike Kurtenbach and Cody Vadnewerker, Policy Debate qualifiers.

Priyanka Atreya, Original Oratory qualifier.

Lauren Miller, Original Oratory qualifier.