2008-12-09
McFarland, El win Fall Tournament
On Saturday, December 6th, students in each of Perspectives' Afterschool Programs participated in our second annual Fall Tournament. This full-day competition was hosted at the University of Pennsylvania, and tested the skills students have developed over the course of the semester.
The tournament was divided into two divisions: novice and varsity. After a few preliminary rounds, the top students in each division advanced to elimination rounds.
In the varsity division's final round, Bodine's Steven McFarland defeated Bodine's Melanie Young. The following students also advanced to elimination rounds:
Semifinalists
Ian McShea (Constitution High School)
Jalon Alexander (Bodine High School)
In the novice division's final round, Science Leadership Academcy's Narayan El defeated Bodine's Grace Woniah. The following students also advanced to elimination rounds:
Quarterfinalists
Alex Wiles (Science Leadership Academy)
Chris Cassise (Science Leadership Academy)
Dominiq Gilyard (Constitution)
Quincy Gill (Bodine High School)
Semifinalists
Michael Watson (Shaw Middle School)
Nicole Golden (Constitution High School)
Perspectives would also like to recognize the top three speakers in each division. After the preliminary rounds, these students had the most "speaker points," points awarded for strong argumentation and presentation.
Top Varsity Speakers
1st Speaker: Mariah Spriggs (Bodine High School)
2nd Speaker: Jalon Alexander (Bodine High School)
3rd Speaker: Steven McFarland (Bodine High School)
Top Novice Speakers
1st Speaker: Alex Wiles (Science Leadership Academy)
2nd Speaker: Nicole Golden (Constitution High School)
3rd Speaker: Blaise Burtutato (Bodine High School)
Congratulations to everyone who participated!
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Perspectives is a Philadelphia-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization promoting youth debate education. Students who debate dramatically increase their reading comprehension, critical thinking, and public speaking skills. In the process, debate becomes a forum to foster youth achievement and civic responsibility. Perspectives has worked with over 400 students in 8 states through afterschool, summer, and special events. www.philadebate.org