USC Speech & Debate team shines at national tournament
Members of the Upper St. Clair High School speech and debate team finished among the top performers at the 2016 National Speech & Debate Tournament that was held June 12-17, 2016, in Salt Lake City.
Senior Chase Miller finished his high school career placing in the national quarterfinals in the Domestic Extemporaneous event. He finished 16th overall among approximately 300 competitors.
“Chase’s performance was impressive as his event is one of the most competitive,” Benjamin Edwards, speech and debate team coach, said. “He placed 16th out of nearly 300 of the best in the country. This equals the highest placing in Upper St. Clair Speech & Debate’s history at this tournament in a main event.”
Junior Public Forum Debaters Macey Kaplan and Arushi Kewalramani advanced to the eighth round of competition with a 9-3 record. Additionally, they competed in International Public Forum Debate against teams from all over the world and achieved a seventh place finished – the team’s highest placing ever at the National Speech & Debate Tournament.
“Congrats to the team on another terrific national-level performance this week in Salt Lake City!” Mr. Edwards said. “We had a number of outstanding performances that highlighted the diversity of skills the 2015-16 team possessed.”
Seniors and officers Justin Brandwein and Saraj Quinto also ended their respective careers in Domestic Extemporaneous and Dramatic Interpretation. Justin also made the third round of Extemporaneous Debate and Saraj was selected to judge Middle School Nationals.
Junior Amna Amin anchored Team Pittsburgh in World Parliamentary Debate, a position she gained through a voting of area coaches in March. The team ended with a record of 3-3 and Amna also advanced to the fifth round of Extemporaneous Debate.
