Speech and Debate Team

Overview

The RRCA High School Speech and Debate Team was formed in 2008-2009 to provide a venue for students to compete in forensics competitions. The speech and debate tournament events that students compete in include speaking, reading, acting, and debate. RRCA competes in public and private school invitational tournaments from September onward in preparation for district and state competition for TAPPS and the NFL. RRCA has active membership in the National Forensic League, the speech and debate honor society for public and private schools. In the fall of 2010, our school was designated with Chapter status by the organization, the highest of four rankings a school can obtain.

The Speech and Debate Team is coached by Cathleen Ferose.

2018-2019 Highlights

TFA Tournament at San Marcos High School, November 30-December 1, 2018

Trinity Classic Speech Tournament, October 27, 2018

Congratulations to Crusader Speech & Debate for winning team sweepstakes in a close race for top honors at the 14th Annual Trinity Classic Speech and Debate Tournament at Holy Trinity Catholic High School in Temple over the weekend.   

Crusaders competed against 11 other schools, both public and private, in 13 different debate, speaking, and acting events.  Congratulations goes to junior Christian Gonzales who was named Best Actor.  Best All Around competitor went to sophomore Matthew Tweden, who wrapped up the day's competition with a decisive 3-0 decision in his 6th and final round of Lincoln Douglas debate, after placing in several other events. 

Crusaders finished the day with 250 points against NSDA district rival THEO with 239.  Coach Cathleen Ferose noted that they were at a disadvantage going into the tournament, with 20 fewer entries.  "It was a battle through every event to the final round.  Not only is THEO strong, but schools like Concordia, Savio, and CTCS are getting more competitive.  We can't take anything for granted." 

Lincoln Douglas Debate:  Quarterfinalist - Rebecca Rasmussen, 1^st place - Matthew Tweden

Congressional Debate:  4^th place - Matthew Tweden

Soapbox Speaking:  4^th place - Caleb Roark, 1^st place - Christian Gonzales

Prose Interpretation:  2^nd place - Caleb Roark

Poetry Interpretation:  6^th place - Douglas Chaiken, 3^rd place - Alex Chaiken, 2nd place - Sarah Benitz

Bible Reading:   5^th place - Grace Wu,3^rd place - Alex Chaiken,1^st place - Allie Cermak

Extemporaneous Speaking:  1^st place - Matthew Tweden

Oratory:  3^rd place - Matthew Tweden

Impromptu Speaking: 1^st place - Matthew Tweden

Solo Acting:  5^th place - Christian Gonzales, 3^rd place - Becca Gillian, 1^st place - Caitlin Lee

Duet Acting:  7^th place - team of Sam Drell/Danny Tomlin,4^th place - team of Sophia Fernandez/Caitlin Lee, 3^rd place - team of Caleb Roark/Morgan Whitley, 2nd place - team of Becca Gillian/Christian Gonzales

Duo Improv:  4^th place - team of Alex Chaiken/Douglas Chaiken, 2^nd place - team of Caleb Roark/Morgan Whitley, 1^st place - team of Christian Gonzales/Matthew Tweden

Hurricane Debate Tournament, September 8, 2018

Congratulations to the Speech & Debate team for their success at the Hurricane Debate Tournament at Holy Trinity Catholic High School in Temple.  Crusaders competed against students from China Springs HS, Concordia HS, Holy Trinity CHS, and StoneGate Christian School in 5 events.  These are the results:

Impromptu Speaking: 

5th place - Perry Williams, 4th place - Christian Gonzales, 1st place - Matthew Tweden

Extemporaneous Debate:

5th place - Christian Gonzales, 3rd place - Matthew Tweden

Public Forum Debate:

5th place - team of Alex Chaiken/Douglas Chaiken, 3rd place - team of Grant Brown/Sam Drell, 1st place - team of Christian Gonzales/Matthew Tweden

Novice Lincoln Douglas Debate:

4th place - Douglas Chaiken, 1st place - Grant Brown

Varsity Lincoln Douglas Debate:

4th place - Perry Williams, 2nd place - Alex Chaiken, 1st place - Matthew Tweden

2017-2018 Highlights

TAPPS Speech State Competition, April 9-11, 2018

Congratulations to the TAPPS Speech Team for being named State Champions!

Lincoln Douglas Debate:  5^th place (tie) – Jenna Kim, 3^rd place (tie) – Christian Gonzales, 2^nd place – Matthew Tweden

Persuasive Speaking:  4^th place – Christian Gonzales, 1^st place – Matthew Tweden

Oratory:  7^th place – Morgan Whitley, 5^th place – Matthew Tweden

Prose Interpretation:  8^th place – Morgan Whitley, 6^th place – Caitlin Lee

Poetry Interpretation:  6^th place – Sophia Fernandez, 1^st place – Sophia Berg

Solo Acting:  6^th place – Caitlin Lee, 1^st place – Sophia Berg

Duet Acting:  1^st place – team of Sophia Berg and Caleb Roark

Special Congratulations:

Matthew Tweden – Top Speaker in Lincoln Douglas Debate

Sophia Berg – Top competitor in Speech events

Elementary Speech Meet, April 6, 2018

Congratulations to competitors at the ACSI Elementary Speech Meet at Central Texas Christian Schools.  There were 4 schools competing in events 1^st-6^th grades.  Here are the results:

1^st grade Poetry:  1^st place, Superior Rating – Tobe Esomeju

1^st grade Bible Memorization:   Excellent rating – Asher Asiedu

3^rd grade Bible Memorization:  Excellent rating – Ellyn Seib

3^rd grade Poetry:  Good rating – Gauri Babbar

4^th grade  Bible Memorization: 1^st place, Superior Rating – Patrick Asiedu

4^th grade Fables and Folklore:   Good rating – Andrew Balid

4^th grade Fables and Folklore:  Excellent rating – Arianna Jemal

5^th grade Bible Memorization:  Good rating – Krishna Yeada

6^th grade Patriotic Oration:  1^st place, Superior rating – Mahlet Messay

Shamrock Tournament, March 23-24, 2018

Congratulations to the Speech & Debate team who competed on Friday and Saturday at the Shamrock Tournament.  Here are the results:

Prose:  7^th place – Micah Headley

Prose:  8^th place – Danny Tomlin

Solo Acting:  4^th place – Danny Tomlin

LD:  2^nd place and Top Speaker – Matthew Tweden

Oratory:  2^nd place – Matthew Tweden

Extemporaneous Speaking:  7^th place – Jenna Kim, 1^st place – Matthew Tweden

Celtic Invitational, January 27, 2018

Congratulations to the RRCA speech and debate competitors for 1st place Team Sweepstakes at the 14th Annual Celtic Invitational at Holy Trinity Catholic High School in Temple.  Ten schools competed in 13 speaking, debating, and acting events for grades 4th-9th. 

Lincoln Douglas Debate:  4th place - Max Chhabra, 3rd place - Kiera Dixon, 2nd place - Grant Brown, and 1st place - Matthew Tweden.

Solo Acting:  6th place - Douglas Chaiken, 5th place - Sarah Benitz

Prose Interpretation:  6th place - Douglas Chaiken, 4th place - Kiera Dixon, 3rd place - Sarah Benitz

4th-5th grade Poetry:  4th place - Arianna Jemal, 1st place - Colin Russell

6th-7th grade Poetry:  6th place - Rachel Millikan, 4th place - Kiera Dixon, 3rd place - Mahlet Messay

Poetry:  5th place - Sarah Benitz, 2nd place - Douglas Chaiken

4th-5th grade Storytelling:  2nd place - Colin Russell

Storytelling:  6th place - Rachel Millikan, 2nd place - Sarah Benitz

Impromptu Speaking:  1st place - Matthew Tweden

Oratory:  1st place - Matthew Tweden

Bible Reading:  5th place - Douglas Chaiken, 4th place - Micah Headley, 2nd place - Jerell Isaac, 1st place - Matthew Tweden

Group Improv:  1st place - team of Matthew Tweden, Micah Headley, and Douglas Chaiken

Best Speaker of the Tournament:  Matthew Tweden

Thank you to the following students who volunteered their time to serve at the tournament:  Alex Chaiken, Christian Gonzales, Sophia Fernandez, Caitlin Lee, Caleb Roark, Morgan Whitley, and Perry Williams

El Campo, January 12-13, 2018

RRCA won Grand Sweepstakes at the El Campo High School Speech & Debate Tournament.

Bible Reading: 6th place - Caleb Roark, 5th place - Micah Headley, 4th place - Sophia Fernandez, 3rd place - Christian Gonzales, 2nd place - Danny Tomlin, 1st place - Sophia Berg

Varsity Lincoln Douglas Debate:  Quarterfinalist - Perry Williams

Novice Lincoln Douglas Debate:  1st place - Matthew Tweden

Novice Prose Interpretation:  2nd place - Caitlin Lee, 1st place - Micah Headley

Senior Prose Interpretation:  4th place - Alex Chaiken

Novice Poetry Interpretation:  6th place - Caitlin Lee, 1st place - Micah Headley

Senior Prose Interpretation:  3rd place - Sophia Fernandez

Humorous Interpretation:  1st place - Sophia Berg

Dramatic Interpretation:  2nd place - Morgan Whitley, 1st place - Caitlin Lee

Auditioning:  6th place - Morgan Whitley, 3rd place - Christian Gonzales, 2nd place - Sophia Berg

Storytelling:  2nd place - Alex Chaiken, 1st place - Sophia Berg

Duet Acting:  4th place - Alex Chaiken/Danny Tomlin, 2nd place - Sophia Berg/Caleb Roark

Novice Extemporaneous Speaking:  1st place - Matthew Tweden,  6^th place – Hannah Vo

Impromptu Speaking:  5th place - Alex Chaiken, 4th place - Christian Gonzales, 3rd place - Matthew Tweden

Oratory:  2nd place - Matthew Tweden

Program of Oral Interpretation:  4th place - Christian Gonzales, 3rd place - Morgan Whitley

Group Improv:  1st place - team of Sophia Berg, Christian Gonzales, Caleb Roark, Morgan Whitley, and Matthew Tweden

Record Mime:  3rd place - team of Sophia Berg, Sophia Fernandez, and Caitlin Lee, 1st place - team of Christian Gonzales, Caleb Roark, and Morgan Whitley

Reader's Theater:  2nd place - team of Sophia Berg, Caitlin Lee, and Caleb Roark, 1st place - team of  Alex Chaiken, Sophia Fernandez, Christian Gonzales, Danny Tomlin, and Morgan Whitley

Best Actor:  Sophia Berg

Best Speaker:  Matthew Tweden

Best Novice:  Micah Headley

Bay City, December 1-2, 2017

Congratulations to the Speech and Debate team for placing 2^nd overall at the Bay City tournament.

Novice Poetry:  4th place - Caitlin Lee

Senior Poetry:  8th place - Hannah Feldman, 3rd place - Sophia Fernandez

Novice Prose:  4th place - Micah Headley

Senior Prose:  6th place - Sophia Fernandez

Friday Storytelling:  2nd place - Christian Gonzales, 1st place - Sophia Berg

Saturday Storytelling:  5th place - Alex Chaiken

Dramatic Interpretation:  5th place - Caitlin Lee, 2nd place - Hannah Feldman, 1st place - Morgan Whitley

Humorous Interpretation:  6th place - Christian Gonzales, 4th place - Caleb Roark, 3rd place - Danny Tomlin, 1st place - Sophia Berg

Program of Oral Interpretation:  3rd place - Christian Gonzales, 2nd place - Morgan Whitley

Duet Acting:  5th place - Christian Gonzales/Morgan Whitley, 1st place - Alex Chaiken/Danny Tomlin

Auditioning:  1st place - Sophia Berg

Novice Extemporaneous Speaking:  1st place - Matthew Tweden

Novice Impromptu Speaking:  3rd place - Matthew Tweden

Original Oratory:  7th place - Perry Williams, 4th place - Matthew Tweden

UIL Lincoln Douglas Debate: Quarterfinalist - Rebecca Rasmussen, Semifinalist - Jenna Kim, 2nd place - Matthew Tweden, 1st place - Perry Williams

Music Interpretation:  1st place - Sophia Berg

Dance Interpretation:  4th place - team of Caitlin Lee, Caleb Roark, Christian Gonzales, and Morgan Whitley

Duo Improv:  6th place - Morgan Whitley/Caleb Roark, 5th place - Christian Gonzales/Sophia Berg

Group Improv:  7th place - team of Alex Chaiken, Danny Tomlin, and Micah Headley, 1st place:  team of Sophia Berg, Christian Gonzales, Caleb Roark, Morgan Whitley, and Matthew Tweden

Record Mime:  3rd place - team of Christian Gonzales, Caleb Roark, and Morgan Whitley

Reader's Theater:  6th place - team of Hannah Feldman, Micah Headley, and Grace Wu, 3rd place - team of Sophia Fernandez, Danny Tomlin, Alex Chaiken, Christian Gonzales, and Morgan Whitley, 2nd place - team of Sophia Berg, Caleb Roark, and Caitlin Lee

Trinity Classic, November 4, 2017

Congratulations to the Crusader Speech and Debate team on their Sweepstakes win.

Solo Acting:  3rd place - Morgan Whitley

Duet Acting:  3rd place - team of Morgan Whitley/Christian Gonzales, 2nd place - team of Alex Chaiken/Danny Tomlin

Prose:  6th place - Sophia Fernandez

Poetry:  5th place - Morgan Whitley, 4th place - Christian Gonzales, 2nd place - Alex Chaiken, 1st place - Caitlin Lee

Bible Reading:  5th place - Christian Gonzales, 4th place - Grace Wu

Duo Improv:  4th place - team of Christian Gonzales/Matthew Tweden, 1st place - team of Morgan Whitley/Caleb Roark

Soapbox Speaking:  5th place - Morgan Whitley, 3rd place - Christian Gonzales

Impromptu Speaking:  3rd place - Matthew Tweden, 2nd place - Morgan Whitley

Extemporaneous Speaking:  5th place - Christian Gonzales, 3rd place - Perry Williams, 1st place - Matthew Tweden

Oratory:  2nd place - Matthew Tweden

Congressional Debate:  4th place - Matthew Tweden

Lincoln Douglas Debate:  1st place - Matthew Tweden

Top Speaker:  Matthew Tweden

Best All Around competitor:  Matthew Tweden

Journey Tournament, September 23, 2017

Crusaders won Team Sweepstakes!

Lincoln Douglas Debate:   4th place - Rebecca Rasmussen, 3rd place - Jenna Kim,

1st place and Top Speaker: Matthew Tweden

Public Forum Debate:  1st place - team of Anna Jacks and Christian Gonzales

Congressional Debate:  3rd place - Matthew Tweden

Informative Extemp:  5th place - Jenna Kim, 3rd place - Rebecca Rasmussen

Persuasive Extemp:  6th place - Perry Williams, 2nd place - Christian Gonzales, 1st place - Matthew Tweden

Oratory:  3rd place - Perry Williams

Dramatic Interpretation:  3rd place - Hannah Feldman, 2nd place - Caitlin Lee, 1st place - Morgan Whitley

Humorous Interpretation:  6th place - Anna Jacks, 4th place - Caleb Roark, 3rd place - Christian Gonzales, 1st place - Danny Tomlin

Poetry:  6th place - Alex Chaiken, 5th place - Hannah Feldman, 3rd place - Kenzie Jones, 2nd place - Anna Jacks, 1st place - Sophia Berg

Prose:  8th place - Morgan Whitley, 7th place:  Kenzie Jones, 4th place - Caitlin Lee, 3rd place - Anna Jacks, 1st place - Christian Gonzales

Program of Oral Interpretation:  3rd place - Anna Jacks, 2nd place - Morgan Whitley

Hurricane Debate Tournament, September 9, 2017

Novice Lincoln Douglas Debate:  4th place - Rebecca Rasmussen, 1st place - Matthew Tweden, Top Speaker - Rebecca Rasmussen

Varsity Lincoln Douglas Debate:  5th place - Sophia Fernandez, 1st place - Perry Williams

Extemporaneous Debate:  5th place - Matthew Tweden, 4th place - Perry Williams, 3rd place - Morgan Whitley, 1st place and Top Speaker - Danny Tomlin

Impromptu Speaking: 6th place - Morgan Whitley, 4th place - Christian Gonzales, 2nd place - Danny Tomlin

Public Forum Debate:  5th place - team of Anna Jacks/Christian Gonzales, 4th place - team of Caleb Roark/Morgan Whitley, 2nd place - team of Rebecca Rasmussen/Matthew Tweden, Top Speaker - Matthew Tweden