A total of 17 Wellington High School speech and debate students brought home hardware and accolades from the PBCFL All-Congress event held at Suncoast High School on Saturday, Sept. 14, in a great showing at the first speech and debate competition of the 2024-25 season.
Among first-year “novice” debaters, Leonardo Fernandez Castillo placed second in his chamber, as did Colten Pride. Placing fourth were Aliah Oliva, Caden Sahlberg and Chloe Wijngaarde. Fifth place was earned by Quinn Mawhinney, while Anthony Morgan and Gwendolyn Mace each placed sixth. Three WHS debaters placed seventh in their respective chambers, just missing out on recognition: Jesse Santos, Eileen Gonzalez-Salcedo and Riley Hidalgo-Gato. Overall, 20 first-year debaters earned at least one judge ranking at the tournament.
Among varsity members, Emma Gardner and Patrick McDermott placed first and second in their congressional chamber, while Jonathan Paul placed third and Richard Tanton took fourth. Five Wellington students earned gavels as their chambers’ presiding officer: Yhazaliyah Avila, Maddox Manriquez, Romessa Patel, Gilberto Quintanilla Chapa and Ava Redfield.
Wellington earned eight new National Speech & Debate Association honor degrees and memberships. Earning the Degree of Distinction (surpassing 250 NSDA honor points) was Maddox Manriquez. Romessa Patel earned her Degree of Excellence (150-plus NSDA honor points). Two students, Maggie Crum and Jordan-Anthony Scott, surpassed the 75-point plateau and earned the Degree of Honor, meaning they have earned their varsity letter, which they will receive at the spring banquet, and the right to wear honor cords at their graduation ceremony.
Four first-year students earned their NSDA Degree of Merit and membership in the largest high school public speaking honor society in the nation, thanks to their performance at Suncoast and their speeches at the Wellington Congressional Scrimmage: Genesis Cabrera, Aliah Oliva, Kathryn Polcz and Chloe Wijngaarde.
