Parker School's debate team tops in state

Parker Debate Team
Members of the debate team include: front row (from left) Mary Kamitaki, Kieran Najita, Cara Nair, Evan Kasberg, Headmaster Carl Sturges, Parker School's Bull Mascot, Jenna Gerdsen, Zhasmena Asoyan, Zen Kuriyama, Nick Abarcar. Second row - Annie Sturges, Sierra Mankar, Paul Gregg, Olivia Armandroff, Marit Winborne, Tyler Saito, Jesse Tarnas, Victoria Andrade-McKeehan, Briana Boche. Third row - Josh Arehart, Corey Patton, Daniel Gregg, Thomas Baldwin, Aidan Wharton, Charlie Charbonneau, Gian DeAntonio, Cary Hoy, Shotaro Kume, Hayden Cross, Mario Everett.

Earlier this month, the 27-member Parker School Debate Team headed to Oahu for the Hawai'i Speech League Non-Qualifying Tournament held at La Jardin Academy.

Of 12 schools participating, Parker School finished on top in the tournament with 55 favorable ballots and went undefeated in four of six categories. The Sweepstakes trophy for highest percent of wins was awarded to Iolani School.

The Parker School first year debate team of Jenna Gerdsen and Corey Patton were undefeated in the Beginning Public Forun category. Olivia Armandroff and Daniel Gregg went undefeated in the Junior Varsity Policy Debate category. Also undefeated were Novice Lincoln-Douglas debater Kieran Najita and Championship Lincoln-Douglas debater Jesse Tarnas.

Certificates were awarded to 17 of the 27 Parker School team members who won over half their rounds including Kieran Najita, Cara Nair, Evan Kasberg, Jenna Gerdsen, Zhasmena Asoyan, Zen Kuriyama, Sierra Manker, Paul Gregg, Olivia Arnamdroff, Marit Winborne, Jesse Tarnas, Victoria Andrade-McKeehan, Briana Boche, Corey Patton, Daniel Gregg, Aidan Wharton, and Cary Hoy.

The other Big Island school participating in the tournament was Christian Liberty and their four person team of Bryce Huelskamp, Shannon Nakamoto, Taylor Benavente and Netisha Delima also received certificates for winning over half of their rounds. Parker School will host the Neighbor Island Speech and Debate Qualifying Tournament on Jan. 15-16. Please visit www.parkerschool.net for more information.

(North Hawaii News, October 15, 2009 - West Hawaii Today, October 15, 2009)