Screamin' Eagles Win In Dallas

 

The team’s first trip to the National Championships in Dallas back in 2006 was not quite what the team had hoped.  The Screamin’ Eagles came up one ballot ranking short of their second straight National School of Excellence Award. 

 

Fortunately, the next two trips were much more successful.  The 2011 National Championships produced Jane Liu and Brian Trinh’s legendary performance in the Finals of Duo Interpretation, Kevin Ye’s outstanding Final Round speech in United States Extemporaneous, and the team’s fifth National School of Excellence Award.  The team placed 1^st in the Speech Category in all of America (about 2,500 schools).

 

Fast forward to 2015.  Kevin Ye’s little brother, Alex, also had the privilege of speaking on stage for the Final Round of Extemporaneous Speaking; this time, in the International Extemporaneous category. The team won their ninth National School of Excellence Award, placed 10^th overall and fifth in the Speech Category in all of America.

 

Dallas provided some great successes for the team in recent years, but 2019 proved to be a challenge.  The Screamin’ Eagles qualified a team (and East LA District) record 21 students: tying the record they set just two years ago.  Four vans were used to transport the qualifiers and judges to two different competition venues.  For the first time in team history, the Screamin’ Eagles had a future speaker, little Dakota-having just celebrated her first birthday, as a cheerleader in their 29-person entourage.

 

No sooner than having checked into their hotel, the same hotel which had hosted the Screamin’ Eagles for the past two Dallas Nationals, a police SWAT team was in the parking lot with guns drawn on one of the hotel guests.  As team officials assessed the situation with the property managers, it was evident this was not a rare occurrence at the site.  The children and their family members swimming in the nearby pool were unfazed by the incident.  It became clear that the once shining hotel had fallen into a shadow of its former self.

 

Twice more during the night, the police were called to the hotel.  With that, the Screamin’ Eagles needed to quickly find new living accommodations just days before the huge tournament would begin.  However, finding a hotel with enough open rooms in Dallas for the entire week was daunting.  Most properties were already sold out because of the National Championships.

 

Enter The Courtyard by Marriot, in the Dallas suburb of Richardson.  Hotel management was listening to Gabrielino officials’ story and setting them up with rooms way past business hours on a Saturday night.  Like the French coming to the aid of America during the Revolutionary War, Courtyard saved the Screamin’ Eagles from disaster. 

 

With accommodations secure, the team then needed to transport 29 people and their luggage 20 miles north to their new and vastly improved living quarters.  While the students and coaches were moving into their new rooms, two team officials traveled to Downtown Dallas to register the team for the Championships. 

 

No sooner than the materials were picked up at the Sheridan Convention Center, a text came through on one of the official’s phone.  The tornado sirens were going off back at the Courtyard.  Californians have no idea what to do during a tornado, so the team was instructed to go to the bottom floor of the hotel and huddle in the most interior portion away from windows. 

 

Meanwhile, the Screamin’ Eagles officials in downtown Dallas walked out to the parking garage to watch the storm, check weather radar, and monitor police frequencies for information about the tornado.  Instead of the storm tracking North to the hotel, it decided to change direction due East and head for the convention center.  Right after the coaches got to the edge of the parking structure, the tornado sirens went off, the wind started blowing, and a downpour began.   Back inside to safety.  Luckily, no tornados actually touched down close to either location.  The Screamin’ Eagles were saved again.

 

The following day brought the first four rounds of competition.  After the first round had begun, news came through about a major shooting a few blocks from the competition venue at the Dallas Federal Building.  The gunman had been neutralized by police, but the front of the Convention Center would be closed so authorities could find the man’s vehicle and use a controlled detonation to render it safe for the community.

 

After a very stressful 72 hours, the team couldn’t help but wonder what’s next?  Again, enter the Courtyard Hotel.  The gracious management team set the students and coaches up with microwaves and refrigerators in all their rooms and even gave the team a conference room for the week to practice, meet, and have a fantastic complimentary breakfast each morning. 

 

What’s next?  What’s next was eggs, and sausage, and cereal and everything else you could want for breakfast as they began the second day of competition.

 

Tuesday was elimination day.  The time in the tournament when the six guaranteed preliminary rounds conclude and the top 60 in each event advance to the octo-final rounds.  In the blink of an eye, or the page turn on the big screens, 200-300 competitors in each event are whittled down to five dozen. 

 

The Screamin’ Eagles came to Dallas confident and very well-prepared.  They had endured some early challenges unrelated to the tournament but they performed their very best.  When the breaks were announced just after lunch, only five Gab entries were listed.  The harsh reality smacked everyone in the face and for a moment, all the air escaped from the balloon. But the team picked themselves up, the newly anointed Fab Five went to their next two rounds and put everything they could into their speeches.

 

GHS tradition stipulates The Screamin’ Eagles would have a post dinner party Tuesday evening at an ice cream place to learn the names of those advancing to the top 30 - the National Quarter-Finals.  If you make it to Quarters, celebrate with ice cream.  If you get eliminated, drown your sorrows with ice cream.  If a tornado hits, hide and hold on to your ice cream. This year, there would be no sorrows, only celebration, because all five Gab entries advanced to the top 30. 

 

The third day of competition is the toughest.  The best 30 are competing in each event and the judges and competitors are worn out after the two previous extremely long days.  After rounds 9 and 10, the team advanced two students to the National Semi-Finals.  Senior Sofia Ramirez and junior Felicia Tran were in the top 14 in all America. 

 

 “We said back in November, Sofia can be in the National Finals,” one of coaches commented.  “And Felicia is the California State Champion, so we are not surprised at all.  Both students work exceptionally hard and are incredibly talented performers.”

 

Rounds 11 and 12 were held in the afternoon and evening to determine the final six students to perform on the big stage in front of over 2,000 people in the Grand Ballroom of the Sheridan Convention Center.  When the announcements came, Felicia learned she would be the 18th student from Gabrielino to make it all the way to the National Final Round.

 

At the National Championships, each of the main event final rounds takes place one at a time so everyone can watch in person at the convention center, or on the livestream feed on the internet.

 

Felicia’s event, Informative Speaking, took place first thing Friday morning.  Felicia woke the crowd up with her energy and information all relating to aviation.  She thrilled and entertained. 

 

At Friday night’s award ceremony, Felicia was awarded 4^th place in all of America and the team received their 13^th National Speech School of Excellence Award.  The Screamin’ Eagles placed 15^th overall and 8^th in the Speech category in all of America.

 

Before the team headed home, the students and coaches toured around the Dallas area with stops at the AT&T Stadium (home of the Dallas Cowboys), the Ft. Worth Stockyards, some mini-golf and go-cart racing, and yes, more ice cream.  

 

The morning the team checked out of the hotel, the exceptional Courtyard staff prepared the successful Screamin’ Eagles team a championship breakfast for their trip home.

 

Oh, and just as they were leaving the hotel, all the power went out as a new transformer was put in place.  Again, the team lucked out and adverted tragedy.

 

Welcome home Screamin’ Eagles.  Congratulations on yet another incredible showing at the largest academic competition in the World. 

 

 

 

 

Gabriel Frank-McPheter

By Zoe Perez

 

Gabriel Frank-McPheter, alongside the other three other freshmen headed to Dallas, will be performing U.S. Extemporaneous speeches. Though he is the only student participating in his event, he carries himself with confidence and works hard.

 

Gabriel has talent beyond his years. In U.S. Extemp, performers are given thirty minutes to develop three points to support their stance on the topic given to them. In thirty minutes Gabriel is able to develop a speech that sounds like he’s been practicing it for months!

 

His fluidity is unreal, especially for a student his age; his hand gestures and mannerisms portray the high maturity level he possesses. There’s no doubt in anyone’s mind that Gabriel will give other U.S. Extempers at Nationals a run for their money.

 

photo by Noli Thai

 

 

Villescas Takes Charge

By Leslie Lim

 

As he and his fellow competitors argue back and forth on various policies that should be put into law, junior Samuel Villescas firmly makes his case. As a junior, Villescas has thrived in Debate and has qualified for Nationals in Congress.

  

“Samuel has always had extraordinary abilities, but this year, his work ethic has improved greatly,” stated Eric Chen, assistant coach. “His academic vocabulary for his speeches has also become much more refined.”

  

Although juggling various AP classes and sports, Villescas has always found a way to make time for Extemp and Debate. Both of which require great amounts of articulation abilities and a deeper understanding of political issues.

  

“The ability to express myself freely was something that eluded me and speech has helped me break my shell and express my ideas whether it be in politics or otherwise,” stated Villescas.

  

Villescas has had a firm belief that Speech and Debate has allowed him to bloom into the great speaker he is today. Qualifying to the National Tournament was a difficult path, but one Villescas embraced wholeheartedly.

  

“I missed my chance of [qualifying to Nationals] in Extemp, so I picked myself up and did the best with the next opportunity,” Villescas stated. “I think I’ve made the most of it in debate.”

 

photo by Noli Thai

 

Gabe & Bianca Have the Duo Magic

By Zoe Perez & Noli Thai

 

As we count down to the 2019 National Championships, we are spotlighting several of our 21 Qualifiers in this on going series.

 

Gabriel Pena and Bianca Lua’s performance is most definitely a sight for sore eyes. After an intense tournament season of ups and downs, the two secured a spot at the National Tournament. They’re bound to stun the audience in Texas and teach them the reality of superstar Selena’s life.  It’s no shock that this dynamic duo qualified for Nationals.

 

Their interpretation is focused along the beautiful but short life of Selena Quintanilla-Perez and her husband Chris Perez. The talented young singer’s life was stripped from her when she was shot by her own agent, Yolanda. In their speech, Chris is overwhelmed with sadness and struggles to retell the story of his wife. With beautiful singing and intense scenes, Gabe and Bianca capture the story of the couple perfectly.

 

This is Bianca's first trip to Nationals so she will rely on the experience of her partner, Gabe, who has qualified for the third year in a row. 

 

photo by Noli Thai

 

An Infinite Duo

By Zoe Perez & Noli Thai

 

As we count down to the 2019 National Championships, we are spotlighting several of our 21 Qualifiers in this on going series.

 

Khin Han and Jaden Raymundo will be competing at Nationals for the first time. Participating in Duo Interpretation, this pair of juniors is bound to leave the audience in tears. The genuine chemistry portrayed between the two is a key factor in their performance.

In their speech,

 

Khin and Jaden play young kids in love in their piece, An Infinite Ache. After growing up and getting married to each other, they begin to start a family. The burning love they share is intense but, after an unfortunate event, the couple begins to drift apart. Through heartbreak and intense fights, the marriage seems all but lost. However, in the end, love finds a way to overcome even the worst of situations. This a duo to keep an eye, and ear, our for.

 

photo by Noli Thai

 

 

All Freshmen Duo Makes Nationals

By Zoe Perez & Noli Thai

 

As we count down to the 2019 National Championships, we are spotlighting several of our 21 Qualifiers in this on going series.

 

Though only freshmen, Karyme and Vincent’s performance level is amazing. It might only be their first year performing, but it seems like the two have been doing it for much longer. This year they’ll be continuing to impress at Nationals.

 

Their speech is focused on two kids who fall in love at a young age and tragically lose contact when distance interferes. However, when they reunite in high school they show that true love doesn’t.

 

Throughout their performance, Karyme and Vincent manage to evoke a variety of emotions from their audience. Though it is only their first time qualifying for Nationals, this factor will not hold them back. After performing all year, we have faith that this duo’s hard work will pay off.

 

photo by Noli Thai

 

 

Laughing To Nats

By Zoe Perez & Noli Thai

 

As we count down to the 2019 National Championships, we are spotlighting several of our 21 Qualifiers in this on going series.

 

Senior Andrew Kumataka-Do will be competing at Nationals for the second time. Andrew will be performing in Humorous Interpretation, which comes as no surprise seeing as he keeps people laughing in and out of rounds.

 

Leading up to Nationals, Andrew was constantly cutting and adding to his speech. Even after performing in the final round at the State Championships and placing 6^th in California and the Gab speech showcase, he is always trying his best to better his speech.

 

In his speech, Andrew tells the story of an awkward teenage boy battling to win the heart of his crush. With the help of his brother, the boy tries his best to get the girl by changing himself to make her like him. However, in the end, he discovers that being you is what’s most attractive. Throughout his speech, Andrew transitions through an impressive number of characters. At Nationals, his audience will witness how Andrew took this script and made it his own.

 

With his constant will to do the best, he is sure to make it far at the National Championships.

 

photo by Noli Thai

 

 

 

Melanie Tries to Keep Rollin' To Nationals

By Zoe Perez & Noli Thai

 

As we count down to the 2019 National Championships, we are spotlighting several of our 21 Qualifiers in this on going series.

 

Talented freshman, Melanie Hsiang, has been leaving everyone speechless all year long. From her amazing ability to imitate the Evil Queen from Snow White to a preppy valley girl, Melanie does it all. In her Program Oral Interpretation (Thematic Interpretation), Melanie combines different pieces of her choosing to create an overall theme of toxic relationships.

 

When Melanie qualified for Nationals, all her upperclassmen peers were ecstatic. After placing 4^th in Program Oral Interpretation at State Champs, it was clear Melanie was destined to go far in speech. Now, she is one to look out for. When she finally hits the stage, Melanie will give her audience an unforgettable performance.

 

photo by Noli Thai

 

 

 Joan Of Nationals

By Zoe Perez & Noli Thai

 

As we count down to the 2019 National Championships, we are spotlighting several of our 21 Qualifiers in this on going series.

 

Joan Tran, sophomore, also performed at the showcase, bringing down the house with howls and cries of laughter. There, everyone got a sneak peek of her amazing talent. From then on until now, Joan has been improving her speech to incorporate more detail and emotion to enhance her performance.

 

Joan will be performing her Humorous Interpretation, “The Staggering Heartbreak of Jasmine Merryweather.” Joan’s rendition is one definitely not to miss. She acts out the story of a middle school girl who has an enormous crush on her classmate who doesn’t exactly feel the same way. The girl goes through several heartbreaks and tries her best to bounce back.

 

As this is her first time qualifying for Nationals, she has no idea what she’s walking into. However, she’ll adapt to the Texan surroundings and settle in nicely, along with her other fellow Eagles.

 

photo by Noli Thai

 

The Force is With Sofia

By Zoe Perez & Noli Thai

 

As we count down to the 2019 National Championships, we are spotlighting several of our 21 Qualifiers in this on going series.

 

Senior Sofia Ramirez also blew people away at the speech showcase. She was the talk of the night taking people’s breath away with her amazingly accurate accent and stunning outfit. Unfortunately, Sofia did not qualify for State Championships. However, she turned the situation around by committing even further and working harder with her eye on the prize: the National tournament. At the National Qualifying tournament, it all paid off.

 

This is Sofia’s first time qualifying for Nationals. Though it’s her last year, there’s no doubt she’ll make a huge impact on her audience.

 

Sofia will be performing a Dramatic Interpretation highlighting the life of Carrie Fisher, who was diagnosed with bipolar disorder at an early stage in her life. While dealing with this emotional ordeal, Sofia demonstrates that life still goes on. She depicts the joy that, widely known and deeply loved, Princess Leia brought to fans. However behind the scenes Carrie Fisher dealt with addiction and depression.

 

photo by Noli Thai

 

Felicia Rocks the Final Round

 

After six preliminary rounds and six elimination rounds over four exhausting days, junior Felicia Tang made it all the way to the Final Round of the National Speech and Debate Championships.  Out of over 200 competitors who qualified for the tournament and the thousands of entries who didn’t make it past their local tournaments, Felicia was among the top six in all of America in Informative Speaking.

 

The 2019 California State Champion traveled with 20 of her fellow teammates who qualified to Dallas, Texas for a week at the largest academic competition in the world, hosted by the massive Dallas Sheridan Hotel and Convention Center.

 

“I really like aviation,” said Tang who is making her second trip to Nationals.  “I wanted to represent Gab (Gabrielino High School) and California.”

 

Even though the round was at 8am, almost 2,000 people filled the grand ballroom at the convention center in Downtown Dallas while thousands of spectators from all over the Nation watched online via the Livestream feed.

 

Felicia woke up the morning crowd by throwing a paper airplane into the audience and turned the simple act of blowing up a balloon into a humorous event with her bubbly personality and her incredible energy.  Felicia talked about the history of aviation, how humans have weaponized it and how, because of our ability to fly, her father was able to safely escape war torn Cambodia and immigrate to America.  Laughter, singing, and a few tears shed made her 10 minute performances one of the best in the country. 

 

“She’s already working on her college applications,” said one of her coaches.  “I think she now has something very special to them.  She’s an amazing young person.  I guess it makes since that she’s doing a speech on aviation.  It started with a dream and the Wright Brothers achieved it.  Felicia is going to be able to achieve anything she can dream of doing.”

 

A few hours later, after all the final rounds had concluded, Felicia returned to the big stage to be awarded an outstanding fourth place in America for her performance.

 

Gabrielino principal, Sharron Heinrich, who watched Felicia’s performance on the Livestream webcast said, “Felicia was amazing.  She had total control of the stage and audience.  I cannot tell you how proud I am of her and how much of a joy it was to watch her speech.”

 

Congratulations Felicia, you certainly flew like an Eagle at Nationals!!!

 

 

Tang Takes Flight

By Zoe Perez and Leslie Lim

 

As we count down to the 2019 National Championships, we are spotlighting several of our 21 Qualifiers in this on going series.

 

Motivated, talented, and inspiring.

 

This is how many people would describe junior Felicia Tang. Whether it be in varsity volleyball, varsity track and field, or Speech and Debate, Tang has garnered massive success through hard work and dedication.

 

“Her dedication to not just her events, but to the team helps the people around her grow,” sophomore Alexis Lay and teammate stated. “Seeing her work during practice drives me to work harder as an individual.”

 

Tang has been in Speech for three years, displaying promise when she qualified to the State Tournament as a freshman. Last year, she qualified to the National Tournament in Dramatic Interpretation as a sophomore. This year, she was State Champion of Expository and in June, will be competing at the National Tournament in the same event.

 

“Felicia’s boards are very intricate and reflective of her creative abilities,” teammate Kristie Tan, sophomore, stated. “Her artistic talents are impressive and I am constantly amazed by not only her boards but her speaking abilities. She’s really good at conveying emotions.”

 

This year, her Expository revolves around aviation and the different facets of flight. She shines a light on the past, present, and future uses of aviation, dazzling the audience with her bubbly personality and humor.

 

As she heads to Dallas this month, the Screaming Eagles hope that she will do well and take flight at Nationals.

 

photo by Noli Thai

 

 

 

Hoc Aims High

By Zoe Perez and Leslie Lim

 

As we count down to the 2019 National Championships, we are spotlighting several of our 21 Qualifiers in this on going series.

 

While many students shudder in fear when thinking about getting up and giving a speech with only minutes to prepare, junior Starlee Hoc, excels in Extemporaneous speaking.

 

“Despite how goofy and fun he may be, he puts more time and effort into Extemp that anyone else I know,” stated teammate Brandon Du, junior. “He keeps the event afloat and does everything he can do to help everyone succeed.”

 

Throughout the year, Hoc was challenged to balance his time with multiple AP classes, varsity Track and Field, and JV Cross Country, but remained focus on his goals in Speech.

  

“This year has been very tough for me going through junior year whilst maintaining a leadership role,” Hoc stated, “But the consistency and the drive to keep working allowed me to continue and get to me where I am now.”

  

This drive led him to qualify for the National Tournament for the first time in International Extemp. This recent success was not received without hard work and setbacks. Earlier this year, Hoc was unable to secure a position to the State tournament. However, he took that and used it in order to fuel his motivation to become better in Speech.

  

“I think Nationals is such an amazing opportunity for me and knowing that my hard work has paid off,” Hoc stated. “Knowing that I have reached this level has inspired me to be more.”

  

Hoc looks forward to attending the National Tournament and the Screaming Eagles hope he hits the mark this June.

 

photo by Noli Thai

 

 

 

For the past four years, the Screamin' Eagles Class of 2019 has been know as one of the smallest classes in the team's 25 year history. 

 

While short in people, they managed to rack up some pretty impressive stats.  17 Speech and Debate Seniors all walked across the stage at the Santa Anita Racetrack.  Seven students earned speech and debate honor cords.  Three were named Academic All-Americans by the National Speech & Debate Association.  Senior Co-Captain Stephanie Rubio was awarded the opportunity to give the commencement address.

 

The class has a combined 14 trips to the State Championships and 10 trips to Nationals.

 

Every member in the class of 2019 can claim they never lost a league speech tournament and were league champions during their entire high school career. 

 

15 of the seniors are continuing their educations at UCLA, UC Riverside, UC Davis, UC Santa Barbara, Knox College, Cal. St. San Luisobispo, Cal. St. L.A., Pasadena City College and Citrus College,  Two seniors will be serving America in the United States Marine Corps.

 

Before going to college five of the seniors will lead the 21 Screamin' Eagles going to the National Championships later this month in Dallas, Texas. 

 

Congratulations Seniors.

 

 

Three Academic All-Americans

By Zoe Perez

 

Three speech and debate students, seniors Andrew Do, Kenny Le, and Jaycob Wahinehookae have all reached an academic peak in their high school career: national recognition as Academic All-Americans. This award is given by the National Speech and Debate Association (the second largest honor society, behind on the National Honors Society).

 

To reach this academic achievement, a student must complete at least five semester of high school. Students must also accumulate more than 750 points in speech and debate contests and an unweighted GPA of 3.7 or higher.  Another way a student might qualify is 750 points, 3.5 GPA, and a score of 27 on the ACT or a 1300 on the SAT.

 

As an addition to obtaining this special award, the three students will be granted exclusive graduation cords for their work. “It’s special to see four years of hard work go into one award and I’m  really honored about the fact that I did obtain it. I’m very humble about receiving it as well.” Andrew Do shares. “This award isn’t my award, it’s also an award to others who helped me along the way.”

 

These three students have become portraits of excellence, leadership, and dedication in speech. The team couldn’t be more proud of their procurement. They will take this achievement with them to their post-secondary education and will continue to display their brilliance wherever they go. 

 

photo by Noli Thai

 

 

 

 

 

All-State Team

 

The 2019 California Speech and Debate All-State Team has been set.  16 members of the Screamin’ Eagles made the list.

 

The First Team is led by State Champion, junior Felicia Tang.  Joining her are senior Jaycob Wahinehookae and sophomore Lauren Hamamoto.

 

Senior Andrew Do made Second Team All-State for the second year in a row.  He is joined by fellow senior Stephanie Rubio and freshman Melanie Hsiang.

 

The honorable mention team features a solid group of five juniors.  Francesca Pondevida, Sarah Vuong, Raquel Chavez, Jaden Raymundo, Khin Han will all be returning next year.  Kayla Tran, Geraldine Ly and Alex Lai are three freshmen who came on strong at the end of the season.  Bianca Lua was the only sophomore who made the list.  Bianca’s duo partner, senior Gabe Pena, rounded out the team.

 

“To get 16 on there is very impressive,” the team remarked in a prepared statement.  “To have 13 of them coming back next year is really exciting.  The team had a rough start with such a small senior class, but they grew and matured to write yet another incredible chapter in the history of Gabrielino Speech and Debate.”

 

Way to go Screamin’ Eagles

 

photo by Noli Thai