Speech Team and Quiz Bowl Club Updates - Fall 2024

Congratulations to our Upper School academic clubs, Quiz Bowl and Speech Team, for their successes this fall! The Upper School Quiz Bowl team remains undefeated and is in 1st place in the MABL conference, and the SSFS Speech team tied for first place in the recent WACF league's speech and debate competitions. Read on for more details.

Going for Gold: SSFS Speech Team's Recent Successes

By Scott Carneal, Speech & Debate Team Head Coach 

During the October 19 and November 9 WACFL competitions against 63 schools and 573 students from Maryland, DC, and Virginia, the SSFS Speech team tied for first place in the league standing (sweepstakes points). Our students received 11 medals. Eight SSFS students have qualified for the Regional championships on March 1, 2025. Coaches Barbara von Salis and Scott Carneal congratulate captains Chloe Jonasdottir, Diego Zein, Annelise Tejpar, and Grace Christerson and student coaches Audrey Deane-Gonzalez and Bryce Edmonds for fantastic leadership and support of the team. And special thanks to Karen Vincent for coaching and judging!

• Gold Medalist: Benji Cherakuri (Impromptu Speaking)
• Silver Medalist: Janaan as Sidiqqui (Impromptu Speaking)
• Bronze Medalists: Chloe Jonasdottir (Impromptu Speaking/2 medals), Benji Cherakuri (Impromptu Speaking & Declamation), Matthew Burd (Original Oratory), Diego Zein (Dramatic Performance/2 medals), and Phoebe Yonkos & Janaan as Sidiqqui (Duo Interpretation)

The team is prepping for two National Tournaments, The George Mason Patriot Games in December and the UPenn Invitational in February.
 
With phenomenal leadership from captain Max Koprivica and assistant captain Catherine Risen, the SSFS Debate team enters its first Public Forum competition on November 16.
 
Finally, shout out to our first time competitors, 9th graders Nathaniel Freedberg, Gavin Grunseich, Victoria Jones, and Isabela Rivera.

SSFS Quiz Bowl Continues to Soar

By Eduardo Polón, Quiz Bowl Coach

With a sweep of its MABL Round 3 opponents, Sherwood, Rockville B, and Wheaton B high schools on Thursday, November 8, SSFS remains undefeated (9-0-0) and in 1st Place in the Montgomery Academic Beltway League (MABL), extending its competitive interscholastic academic season record to an impressive 14-3-0 overall. 

The SSFS Quiz Bowl Team was represented by Captain Diego Zein (‘25), Assistant Captain Justin Carr (’26), Nate Miles (’26), Ian Donahue (‘26), and Steve Kim (‘26), and supported by up-and-coming Quizards Benji Cherukuri, Catherine Risen, and Henry Navikas. Moving forward, SSFS is slated to square off against Paint Branch, Magruder, and Einstein high schools in MABL Round 4 on Thursday, November 21. 

A perennial Top 10 team, SSFS ranks fittingly among the best academic programs in the county and continues to distinguish itself, among other things, as “an ideal setting for intellectual contemplation, diverse extracurricular pursuits, and personal growth.” 

Providing camaraderie for kindred spirits while celebrating academic achievement, intrascholastic Quiz Bowl Club and interscholastic Quiz Bowl Team provide healthy venues to foster friendships inspired by a mutual love of learning.  Best of all, it's fun!  For more information contact Quiz Bowl Coach Eduardo Polón.