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.

2020-2021 Highlights

University of Arizona 3rd Annual Wildcat Cup, January 29-30, 2021

The Crusaders Speech & Debate team competed virtually at the University of Arizona Wildcat Cup.  Teams from five different states made up the field of 20 teams.   Competition was in 13 different debating, speaking, and acting events. The tournament was sponsored by the University of Arizona Debate Series.  After two days of rigorous competition, the team placed 3^rd in overall sweepstakes. 

Congressional Debate:  3rd place – Kiera Dixon, 1st place – Matthew Tweden

Lincoln Douglas Debate:  Quarterfinalist – Kiera Dixon, 2nd place – Matthew Tweden

Humorous Interpretation:  4th place – Douglas Chaiken, 3rd place – Micah Headley

Dramatic Interpretation:  5th place – Mahlet Messay

Duo Interpretation:  5th place – team of Danny Tomlin/Douglas Chaiken, 3rd place – team of Sam Drell/Sarah Benitz

Oratory:  3rd place – Kiera Dixon

Program of Oral Interptionreta:  6th place – Kimberly Jolly

Prose Interpretation:  5th place – Micah Headley, 3rd place – Jayla Sumlin

Poetry Interpretation:  7th place – Sam Drell, 2nd place – Douglas Chaiken, 1st place – Sarah Benitz

Red Rocks Classic, December 18-19, 2020

Crusaders Speech & Debate placed 3rd in team sweepstakes at the virtual Red Rocks Classic, hosted by Grand County High School in Utah on Friday and Saturday, December 18th-19th.

Forty teams competed from 14 states in speech, debate, and acting events.

Here are the results:

Character Congress:  3rd place and Presiding Officer – Matthew Tweden, 2nd place – Danny Tomlin

Congressional Debate:  5th place – Kiera Dixon, 1st place – Lude Abebe

Extemporaneous Speaking:  2nd place – Kiera Dixon, 1st place – Lude Abebe

Oratory:  2nd place – Kiera Dixon

Humorous Interpretation:  6th place – Micah Headley, 4th place – Douglas Chaiken

Duo Interpretation:  2nd place – team of Sarah Benitz/Sam Drell

Dramatic Interpretation:  8th place – Jayla Sumlin, 6th place – Sarah Benitz, 5th place – Mahlet Messay

Program of Oral Interpretation:  9th place – Douglas Chaiken, 3rd place – Kimberly Jolly

Trinity Classic, November 21, 2020

The Speech & Debate team competed virtually at the 16th Annual Trinity Classic, hosted by Holy Trinity Catholic High School against 5 other teams, on Saturday, November 21st.  Competitors competed in 12 events, including debate, speaking, and acting events.  Although there was no Sweepstakes given out, Crusaders placed in 10 events, taken 1st place in 6. 

Trinity Classic 2020 Results:

Lincoln Douglas Debate:  3rd place – Kiera Dixon, 2nd place – Matthew Tweden

Congressional Debate:  3rd place – Matthew Tweden, 2nd place – Kiera Dixon

Original Oratory:  4th place – Kiera Dixon, 1st place – Matthew Tweden

Impromptu Speaking: 2nd place (tie) Matthew Tweden, Danny Tomlin, Kiera Dixon, 1st place – Douglas Chaiken

Soapbox Speaking: 3rd place – Sam Drell, 2nd place – Douglas Chaiken, 1st place – Matthew Tweden

Extemporaneous Speaking: 4th place – Danny Tomlin, 2nd place – Matthew Tweden

Solo Acting: 6th place – Mahlet Messay, 5th place – Sarah Benitz, 3rd place (tie) Jayla Sumlin and Danny Tomlin, 2nd place – Douglas Chaiken, 1st place – Micah Headley

Prose Interpretation: 5th place – Sarah Benitz, 3rd place – Micah Headley, 1st place – Jayla Sumlin

Poetry Interpretation: 6th place – Sarah Benitz, 4th place – Sam Drell, 3rd place – Douglas Chaiken

Duo Interpretation: 3rd place: team of Douglas Chaiken/Danny Tomlin, 1st place – team of Sarah Benitz/Sam Drell

2019-2020 Highlights

El Campo Tournament, January 17-18, 2020

The Speech and Debate team won 1st place Sweepstakes at the 44th Annual El Campo HS Invitational Tournament over the weekend in a field of 25 teams.

Results

Dramatic Interpretation: 3rd place – Becca Gillian

Humorous Interpretation: 2nd place – Danny Tomlin, 1st place – Alex Chaiken

Duet Acting: 2nd place – Alex Chaiken/Douglas Chaiken, 1st place – Allie Cermak/Sophia Fernandez

Senior Poetry: 6th place – Sam Drell, 3rd place – Douglas Chaiken, 1st place – Micah Headley

Novice Poetry: 2nd place – Kimberly Jolly, 1st place – Taryn Cole

Oratory: 1st place – Kiera Dixon

Reader’s Theater: 2nd place – team of Allie Cermak, Kim Jolly, Becca Gillian, Sam Drell, and Danny Tomlin. 1st place: team of Alex Chaiken, Douglas Chaiken, Micah Headley, Kiera Dixon, and Sophia Fernandez

Senior Prose: 5th place – Sophia Fernandez, 4th place – Allie Cermak, 3rd place – Micah Headley

Auditioning: 2nd place – Danny Tomlin, 1st place – Alex Chaiken

Impromptu Speaking: 6th place – Alex Chaiken, 4th place – Danny Tomlin

Novice Extemporaneous Speaking: 3rd place – Danny Tomlin, 2nd place – Kiera Dixon

Bible Reading: 6th place – Danny Tomlin, 4th place – Sam Drell, 2nd place – Sophia Fernandez, 1st place – Alex Chaiken

Program of Oral Interpretation: 2nd place – Douglas Chaiken

Record Mime: 2nd place – team of Alex Chaiken, Douglas Chaiken, Danny Tomlin, Sam Drell, and Sophia Fernandez, 1st place – team of Becca Gillian, Micah Headley, Kimberly Jolly, Taryn Cole, and Allie Cermak.

Group Improv: 4th place: Allie Cermak, Micah Headley, Kimberly Jolly, 2nd place – Alex Chaiken, Douglas Chaiken, Sam Drell, and Danny Tomlin

Storytelling: 8th place – Micah Headley, 7th place – Sam Drell, 6th place – Becca Gillian, 3rd place – Danny Tomlin, 1st place – Alex Chaiken

Senior Lincoln Douglas Debate: Semifinalist – Elizabeth Randolph

Novice Lincoln Douglas Debate: 2nd place – Kiera Dixon

Best Actor: Danny Tomlin

Best Reader: Micah Headley

Best All Around: Alex Chaiken

Bay City Tournament, December 6-7, 2019

Congratulations to the Crusader Speech & Debate team who won team sweepstakes at the 26th Annual Lee Polk Classic at Bay City High School. Crusaders competed against 9 other schools in debate, speaking, acting, art, and fun event categories.

Friday night Storytelling: 3rd place – Douglas Chaiken, 2nd place – Danny Tomlin, 1st place – Alex Chaiken

Saturday Storytelling: 6th place – Douglas Chaiken, 3rd place – Danny Tomlin, 2nd place – Alex Chaiken

Novice Impromptu: 2nd place – Kiera Dixon, 1st place – Elizabeth Randolph

Senior Impromptu: 4th place – Alex Chaiken, 2nd place – Matthew Tweden

Oratory: 2nd place – Kiera Dixon, 1st place – Matthew Tweden

Novice Poetry: 3rd place – Kimberly Jolly

Senior Poetry: 6th place – Roman Kemp, 4th place – Sarah Benitz

Novice Prose: 1st place – Matthew Tweden

Senior Prose: 5th place – Sarah Benitz, 2nd place – Micah Headley

Duet Acting: 3rd place – Becca Gillian/Roman Kemp, 2nd place – Allie Cermak/Sophia Fernandez, 1st place – Alex Chaiken/Douglas Chaiken

Solo Acting: 5th place – Alex Chaiken, 3rd place – Becca Gillian

Novice Lincoln Douglas Debate: 2nd place – Lude Abebe, 1st place – Kiera Dixon

Senior Lincoln Douglas Debate: Quarterfinalist – Matthew Tweden, Semifinalist – Elizabeth Randolph

Novice Extemporaneous Speaking: 3rd place – Kiera Dixon, 2nd place – Lude Abebe, 1st place – Danny Tomlin

Senior Extemporaneous Speaking: 5th place – Elizabeth Randolph, 1st place – Matthew Tweden

Dance: 4th place – Becca Gillian

Music Interpretation: 1st place – Allie Cermak/Sophia Fernandez

TV Commercials: 1st place – Kiera Dixon

Poster Design: 1st place – Douglas Chaiken

Costume Design: 2nd place – Taryn Cole

Reader’s Theater: 2nd – team of Allie Cermak, Sam Drell, Danny Tomlin, Kimberly Jolly, and Roman Kemp, 1st place – team of Micah Headley, Sophia Fernandez, Sarah Benitz, Douglas Chaiken, and Alex Chaiken

Group Improv: 4th place – team of Roman Kemp, Kimberly Jolly, Sarah Benitz, and Allie Cermak, 2nd place – team of Micah Headley, Becca Gillian, and Matthew Tweden, 1st place – team of Alex Chaiken, Douglas Chaiken, Sam Drell, and Danny Tomlin

Record Mime: 3rd place – team of Becca Gillian, Micah Headley, Kimberly Jolly, Roman Kemp, and Allie Cermak, 1st place – team of Sarah Benitz, Alex Chaiken, Douglas Chaiken, Sam Drell, and Danny Tomlin

Duet Improv: 6th place – Becca Gillian/Roman Kemp, 4th place – Micah Headley/Matthew Tweden, 3rd place – Alex Chaiken/Douglas Chaiken

Auditioning: 6th place – Douglas Chaiken, 4th place – Sam Drell

Best Actor: Alex Chaiken, Best Speaker: Matthew Tweden, Best All Around: Douglas Chaiken

Trinity Classic, November 2, 2019

Crusaders had a great day of competition at the 15th annual Trinity Classic Invitational at Holy Trinity in Temple. In a field of 15 schools, the team ended up 2nd overall, having a strong showing across many events.

Solo Acting: 5th place – Danny Tomlin, 3rd place – Alex Chaiken

Extemporaneous Speaking: 6th place – Elizabeth Randolph, 2nd place – Matthew Tweden

Prose Interpretation: 5th place – Micah Headley, 4th place – Becca Gillian, 3rd place – Allie Cermak, 2nd place – Sarah Benitz

Congressional Debate: 4th place – Matthew Tweden

Poetry Interpretation: 4th place – Roman Kemp, 2nd place – Alex Chaiken, 1st place – Douglas Chaiken

Duet Acting: 5th place – Sarah Benitz/Kimberly Jolly, 4th place – Becca Gillian/Roman Kemp,

2nd place – Alex Chaiken/Douglas Chaiken, 1st place – Allie Cermak/Sophia Fernandez

Bible Reading: 6th place – Danny Tomlin, 5th place – Alex Chaiken, 3rd place – Sam Drell, 1st place – Allie Cermak

Program of Oral Interpretation: 3rd place – Douglas Chaiken

Oratory: 4th place – Matthew Tweden

Impromptu Speaking: 2nd place – Matthew Tweden

Informative Speaking: 2nd place – Alex Chaiken, 1st place – Matthew Tweden

Lincoln Douglas Debate: Quarterfinalists – Kiera Dixon and Matthew Tweden

Duo Improv: 5th place – Becca Gillian/Roman Kemp, 2nd place – Alex Chaiken/Douglas Chaiken,

1st place – Micah Headley/Matthew Tweden

Best Actor: Alex Chaiken

Best All Around: Matthew Tweden

Journey Tournament, September 21, 2019

Crusaders Speech and Debate competed at the 8th annual Journey Tournament at Holy Trinity Catholic HS in Temple. They competed against College Station HS, China Springs HS, LaGrange HS, Academy ISD, Brentwood Christian School, and Holy Trinity Catholic HS in 14 events. Crusaders repeated as overall champions.

Lincoln Douglas Debate: 6th place – Alex Chaiken, 2nd place – Elizabeth Randolph, 1st place and Top Speaker – Matthew Tweden

Public Forum Debate: 3rd place – team of Micah Headley/Simon Kruger

Dramatic Interpretation: 6th place – Sarah Benitz

Humorous Interpretation: 1st place – Alex Chaiken

POI: 2nd place – Douglas Chaiken

Oratory: 4th place – Matthew Tweden

Poetry Interpretation: 6th place – Becca Gillian, 5th place – Douglas Chaiken, 4th place – Alex Chaiken, 2nd place – Danny Tomlin

Prose Interpretation: 6th place – Sophia Fernandez, 4th place – Allie Cermak, 2nd place – Sarah Benitz, 1st place – Becca Gillian

Expository: 6th place – Taryn Cole, 5th place – Kiera Dixon, 2nd place – Alex Chaiken, 1st place – Matthew Tweden

Extemp Commentary: 5th place – Elizabeth Randolph

Novice Extemporaneous Speaking: 4th place – Kiera Dixon

Senior Extemporaneous Speaking: 4th place – Sophia Fernandez, 1st place – Matthew Tweden

Duo Interpretation: 4th place – team of Sarah Benitz/Kim Jolly, 3rd place – team of Alex Chaiken/Douglas Chaiken, 2nd place – team of Becca Gillian/Roman Kemp, 1st place – team of Allie Cermak/Sophia Fernandez

Congress: 4th place – Sam Drell, 2nd place – Matthew Tweden

Hurricane Debate Tournament, September 7, 2019

Novice Lincoln Douglas Debate: 7th place – Sam Drell, 4th place – Danny Tomlin, 1st place – Kiera Dixon

Varsity Lincoln Douglas Debate: 8th place – Elizabeth Randolph, 4th place – Alex Chaiken, 1st place – Matthew Tweden

Public Forum Debate: 1st place – Team of Elizabeth Randolph/Matthew Tweden

Extemporaneous Debate: 7th place – Douglas Chaiken, 6th place – Alex Chaiken, 2nd place – Elizabeth Randolph, 1st place – Matthew Tweden

Impromptu Speaking: 5th place – Kiera Dixon, 3rd place – Douglas Chaiken, 1st place – Matthew Tweden

Top Novice Competitor: Kiera Dixon, Top Debater: Matthew Tweden

2018-2019 Highlights

Shamrock Debate Tournament, March 23, 2019

Congratulations to the Crusader Speech & Debate team for placing 1st at the Shamrock Invitational TAPPS prep tournament over the weekend, hosted by Holy Trinity Catholic High School in Temple. A total of 19 private schools from around the state competed in 7 events in preparation for upcoming state competition in Waco on April 1st-3rd.

Duet Acting: 3rd place – team of Christian Gonzales/Becca Gillian, 2nd place – team of Alex Chaiken/Douglas Chaiken

Lincoln Douglas Debate: Quarterfinalist – Matthew Tweden

Persuasive Speaking: 8th place – Christian Gonzales, 1st place – Matthew Tweden

Prose Interpretation: 5th place – Sarah Benitz

Poetry Interpretation: 7th place – Christian Gonzles, 2nd place – Douglas Chaiken, 1st place – Alex Chaiken

Oratory: 5th place – Perry Williams, 4th place – Christian Gonzales, 3rd place – Matthew Tweden

Celtic Invitational, January 26, 2019

Crusaders took 2nd place overall in team sweepstakes at the 15th annual Celtic Invitational, a 4th-9th grade competition. Crusaders competed against 8 other schools in 13 categories.

Lincoln Douglas Debate: 6th place – Kiera Dixon

Record Mime: team of Douglas Chaiken/Becca Gillian

Duet Acting: team of Alex Chaiken/Douglas Chaiken

Group Improv: 2nd place – team of Noah Headley, Kaleigh Henderson, Rachel Millikan, 1st place – team of Sarah Benitz, Douglas Chaiken, Becca Gillian, and Roman Kemp

Solo Acting: 3rd place – Becca Gillian, 2nd place – Sarah Benitz

Poetry Interpretation: 3rd place – Sarah Benitz, 1st place – Douglas Chaiken

4th/5th grade Prose: 5th place – Arianna Jemal, 2nd place – Colin Russell

6th/7th grade Prose: 5th place – Noah Headley, 1st place – Mahlet Messay

Prose Interpretation: 5th place – Becca Gillian, 4th place – Douglas Chaiken, 1st place – Sarah Benitz

Bible Interpretation: 2nd place – Roman Kemp

Storytelling: 5th place – Kaleigh Henderson, 3rd place – Sarah Benitz, 1st place – Douglas Chaiken

Impromptu Speaking: 5th place – Douglas Chaiken

Soapbox Speaking: 6th place – Becca Gillian

Best Reader: Sarah Benitz

Best Actor: Becca Gillian

Best Overall Competitor: Douglas Chaiken

Results from Round Rock High School UIL tournament

Lincoln Douglas Debate: 1st place – Matthew Tweden

El Campo Tournament January 11-12, 2019

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, 1st place – Matthew Tweden

Congressional Debate: 4th place – Matthew Tweden

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

Prose Interpretation: 2nd place – Caleb Roark

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

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

Extemporaneous Speaking: 1st place – Matthew Tweden

Oratory: 3rd place – Matthew Tweden

Impromptu Speaking: 1st place – Matthew Tweden

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

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

Duo Improv: 4th place – team of Alex Chaiken/Douglas Chaiken, 2nd place – team of Caleb Roark/Morgan Whitley, 1st 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