Parker School Takes First at State Championships

Parker School’s Jenny Sanford, Kimo Hon, Headmaster Carl Sturges, Annie Sturges and Mary Kamitaki pose with trophies at the state forensic championships. Jenny Sanford and Kimo Hon placed first in the junior varsity policy debate event. Annie Sturges and Mary Kamitaki placed third.

Parker School debate team members ended an extraordinary debut year in April, walking away from the state forensic championships with two sets of trophies, including a pair for first place.

Kimo Hon and Jenny Sanford won the junior varsity policy debate event, eloquently addressing whether the United States federal government should substantially increase its public health assistance to sub-Saharan Africa. That was the event's yearlong topic. Fellow Parker School team members Annie Sturges and Mary Kamitaki placed third.

Parker defeated Punahou School in the semi-finals and Iolani School in the finals.

"To have had every member of our debate team make it to the state tournament was reward enough," said assistant coach Ann Renick. "To have taken first place in junior varsity policy debate in our first year is truly remarkable and a credit to our students and coach."

Headmaster Carl Sturges started Parker's debate team in August. Team members began their days for two trimesters in a first-period debate class, learning the ropes and discovering their strengths and weaknesses. Annie Sturges learned she has a knack for research.

"That's what I really enjoy doing," the ninth-grader said. "All the organization was rigorous, but it was enjoyable for me."

Parker School's success reflects a year of achievement for the Big Island. Parker's Dr. Sturges was elected the new District 4, or Big Island, representative to the Hawai'i Speech League, replacing Fern White, of Kohala High School. Ms. White served as District 4 representative for many years and was recognized as the 2007-2008 Coach of the Year at the state championships.

Sharing the spotlight was Kohala High School student Joseph Kimo Jordan, who was honored as the first National Forensic League District Student of the Year for the Big Island.

"This is a really big thing," said Carol Halbur, co-tournament director of the Hawaii Speech League. The National Forensic League implemented the award just this year to honor the student in each district who demonstrates remarkable levels of integrity, intellect, character, and service.

Next season promises to be an exciting one for Parker School debaters, who have come so far so fast, and will be on varsity teams next year.

This season was "good practice for next year," Mary Kamitaki said. "It shows us what we get to do and where we want to go with this."