Henry W. Grady High School Jesters speech and debate team won its seventh consecutive championship at the Georgia Forensics Coaches Association Speech and Debate Varsity Championships. The debate championship was held March 4-5 at Northview High School in Johns Creek.
 
In addition to being crowned Speech, Debate and Overall Sweepstakes winner, the Grady team received the President’s Cup for Excellence in Speech and Debate, as well as the Ted Wolfe Award for qualifying the most entries for schools of 1,000-1,500 students.
 
Debate coach Mario Herrera said his students’ hard work and commitment paid off.  He noted that several team members attend as many as 18-22 tournaments each year, with some seniors participating in over 50 competitions by the end of their high school career.
 
“Speech and debate is not an activity for the weak-hearted,” Herrera said. “For most of the students who qualify for the state tournament, they put in hours of practice during the week and then compete on weekends. Tournaments mean leaving at 6:30 a.m. and returning at 11 p.m.  The students work smart and consistently, and they have fun and make friends with other teams from all over the state and the country.  This team has heart and soul and I am thankful I have been able to see their dedication lead to this fantastic accomplishment. I couldn’t more proud.”
 
In addition to the top awards, here are the other results:
 
-Varsity Lincoln-Douglas Debate: Mark Winokur, Octofinalist;

-Alex Opsahl, Quarterfinalist; Will Taft, Quarterfinalist; Grady Bridges, Semi-Finalist;

-Harrison Wilco, CO-CHAMPION; Conor Downey, CO-CHAMPION
 
Public Forum Debate: Bailey Damiani and Todd Pengelly, Octofinalists
 
Dramatic Interpretation: Molly Looman, 4th Place
 
-Program Oral Interpretation: Chloe Citron, 3rd Place; Ashley Carter, CHAMPION

-Impromptu Speaking: Quarterfinalists: Kassidy Kelly, Denis Goldsman; Semifinalist:

-Quinn Preston; 4th Place- Gregory Fedorov, 2nd Place- Sam Lombardo
 
Extemporaneous Speaking: Semi-finalists: Micah Bowman, Robert Weimar; 6th Place- Kassidy Kelly; 4th Place- Sam Lombardo; 3rd Place, Denis Goldsman; CHAMPION- Gregory Fedorov; Robert Weimar named Novice Extemper of the Year