SSFS Speech and Debate Team Update: Winter 2025

University of Pennsylvania Liberty Bell Classic Speech & Debate Invitational

Fourteen members of the Speech Team competed February 8–9 at the prestigious University of Pennsylvania Liberty Bell Classic Speech & Debate Invitational, one of the four most competitive tournaments in the country. Five SSFS students made it all the way to the quarterfinal and semifinal rounds (top 12 out of 70 to 80 entries in each category) and four had rankings high enough to qualify for the Tournament of Champions, which will take place in Lexington, KY, April 25-27. Three other students were only one place away from qualifying. Congratulations to the whole team!

Coaches Scott Carneal (US English) and Barbara von Salis (US History) especially want to thank parent chaperones/judges Liz Dunning, Peter Cherukuri, Danielle Most, and Mike Risen, as well as Alexios Eleftheriou '25 for judging and coaching. Finally, thanks to UPenn first-year student and Speech Team alumnus Suutumee Negash '24 for coming out to support the team!

Highlights:

• Benji Cherukuri: Finalist in Declamation (3rd overall) and Original Oratory (2nd overall), and two-time trophy winner
• Phoebe Yonkos: Semifinalist, medal winner and 1st place after Prelims in Declamation (8th overall)
• Maxine Ross: Semifinalist, medal winner, and 10th overall in Original Oratory
• Cecilia Gang: Semifinalist, medal winner in Oral Interpretation
• Elena Powell: 16th place in Humorous Interpretation
• Henry Goldblatt: 25th place in Declamation
• Annelise Tejpar: 28th place in Original Oratory

WACFL Competition

Over President's Day weekend, sophomores Catherine Risen and Samir Ouchikh competed in the Varsity Division of Public Forum Debate at the final WACFL [Washington Arlington Catholic Forensic League] regular season competition. 

As described on the WACFL website, "Public Forum (PF) debate is a team-based format with two teams consisting of two debaters each. One team represents the affirmative side (PRO), and the other represents the negative side (CON) of a given resolution. PF aims to simulate discussions on current events and public policy issues, emphasizing real-world applications and the clash of ideas in a manner accessible to a broader audience. Public Forum debate is designed to promote effective communication, critical thinking, research skills, and the ability to articulate complex issues to a general audience. It encourages students to stay informed about current events, engage in evidence-based analysis, and develop persuasive arguments based on logic and reasoning."

Out of 522 students (261 teams) and 46 schools across four divisions, Catherine and Samir finished 1st in Maryland/DC, and 9th overall! Catherine also came in 9th place as best speaker, and the team qualified for Metro Finals in March.

Harvard National Speech and Debate Tournament

Also over President's Day weekend: Benji Cherukuri '27 competed in the most competitive Speech and Debate invitational in the country, the Harvard National Speech and Debate Tournament. 

Benji was a semifinalist in both his events: For Impromptu Speaking, Benji was a Semifinalist and came in 11th out of 135; in Original Oratory: he was Semifinalist and came in 8th out of 352!

Benji competed in 4 preliminary rounds and then Doubles (in Original Oratory), Octos, Quarters, and then Semifinals. That is 15 rounds over 3 days: whew! Way to go Benji!