Parker Ranch Speech and Debate Team 2010-2011 (Photo courtesy of Parker School)

MEDIA RELEASE

The Parker School campus was the setting for great student debate last month.

Headmaster and Debate Coach, Carl Sturges said, “It’s exciting to have the best debaters in the state competing here at Parker School. The Hawaii Speech League is to be commended for traveling to the neighbor islands to meet the needs of all of the teams. We’re looking forward to our next meet at Iolani School in mid-February.”

The Parker School team was among 11 schools participating in the tournament.

The tournament was part of Hawaii Speech League’s interschool activities which aim to enrich curricular and co-curricular activities and develop educational growth in the speech arts. This was a qualifying tournament and winners will advance to the state finals.

Parker School qualified the following teams and individuals: Cara Nair and Sierra Manker in Public Forum Debate; Zen Michael Kuriyama in championship Lincoln-Douglas, Nick Abarcar and Paul Gregg in Novice Lincoln-Douglas.

The other Big Island team from Christian Liberty Academy had the Novice Lincoln-Douglas first place finisher, Sierra Hagg.

The Neighbor Island Debate Tournament consisted of three debate areas, Public Forum, Lincoln-Douglas and Policy Debate. Speech events included Storytelling, Program Reading, Humorous Interpretation and Dramatic Interpretation, Duo Interpretation, Original Oratory, Impromptu Speaking and United States Extemporaneous Speaking and International Extemporaneous Speaking.

The tournament filled virtually every room of the Parker School campus. The Waimea community was hugely supportive of this event and came out to volunteer as judges and timekeepers. Students participating in debate gain confidence, critical thinking skills, public speaking skills and overall professional presentation skills that will serve them well in the future.

The tournament ended with an awards ceremony, dinner, outdoor dance with a DJ and a bonfire.