The Pocono Mountain West Speech and Debate Team was crowned champion of the Pennsylvania High School Speech League (PHSSL) District 8 tournament Feb. 23.
The top three team’s scores were: 130 points for Pocono Mountain West High School, 56 points for Scranton High School, and 53 points for E. L. Meyers High School. Fifteen schools participated in the event.
This is the first District Championship in Pocono Mountain History. This was truly a team effort. Please congratulate any member of the team that you might know.
The following are the team members who contributed to this win and will represent Pocono Mountain West at States:
- Joe Lopresti, 9th grade, 1st place “Wondering Y” Informative Speaking
Kyra Tan Tioncgo, 10th grade, 1st place Lincoln Douglas Debate
Sarah VanSise, 11th grade, 1st place, Poetry Interpretation, “Teachers”
Brandi Guilherme 11th grade, and Justin Lovell, 12th grade, 1st place, Policy Team Debate
Erika Crown, 12th grade, Humorous Interpretation, Wagner’s, “Is there Intelligent life in the Universe”
Justin Kurek, 11th grade, and Brian Cavanaugh, 11th grade, 2nd place, Policy Debate
Derren Adejere, 2nd place, 11th grade, Persuasive Speaking, “I am a Black Woman”
Three additional students will be picked to go to states to represent Pocono Mountain West High School in impromptu speaking, Radio Announcing, and Student Congress.