March 23, 2006

SCHOOL SCENEin Almaden Valley

Leland’s award-winning speech, debate team talks fund-raising

By Jeanne Carbone Lewis
Staff Writer

Practically everyone has a fear of public speaking. But for Leland High School Speech and Debate students, it’s a piece of cake. Of course it doesn’t hurt that they have accumulated multiple awards for their successful oratories.

Articulate and ready for a good fund-raiser, Leland High School speech and debate students and their coach, Gay Brasher, stand in front of the wall of fame. Left: public relations coordinator Albert Alqian, Lauren Cao, instructor Gay Brasher, Deanne Chen and Scott Wu. Photos by Jeanne Carbone Lewis

However, it costs money to travel to league, state and invitational tournaments, so the students have come up with a unique plan to involve the community by inviting them to their first annual speech and debate fund-raiser.

“It’s an amazing program, but expensive to operate,” said Leland High School Principal Bob Setterlund. “With trips to Boston and Atlanta for National meets, it requires funds for registration, transportation and hotels. We appreciate all the help we can get.”

The idea for the fund-raiser all started innocently enough. A few of the students performed at Starbuck’s at the Safeway Center one Sunday morning and raised $375 with change from the early morning lattés for their efforts. Senior Scott Wu presented an oratorical interpretation of a JFK speech and said that competing in tournaments can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $2,000.

“I thought that if we did one at the school on the stage we would have more of a turnout,” said Albert Alqian, senior and public relations coordinator for the fund-raiser. “I ran the idea by my coach, Mrs. Brasher, and she agreed to it. Now, I’m trying to get as much publicity out as possible so we will have a big turnout and raise money for the tournaments.”

The event is scheduled April 7 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in Leland’s cafeteria. Eight presentations are planned by 11 students. Sophomore Lauren Kido will present an original expository about smiles. Varun Rajan is presenting a humorous interpretation of the little mermaid. Nina Sung and Lauren Cao will perform Eve Ensler’s “Necessary Targets” about two American women who visit Bosnia. Another teen will do a thematic interpretation of drama and humor.

Leland High School Speech and Debate students have accumulated multiple awards for their successful oratories.

The audience will get to select student Emma Noftz’s impromptu speech for her at the event. Another student will present an oratorical interpretation of a famous speech from history. Caroline Xie will interpret her original prose and poetry entitled “Waving Goodbye.” The last event will be a parliamentary debate. In other words, the fund-raiser will offer something for everyone.

To see the students perform in a tournament is impressive to say the least. Over three hundred well-dressed, articulate teens walk the campus focusing on qualifying for the State Speech and Debate Tournament. No wonder their classroom is lined with awards. Last year, Leland received the Award of Excellence at the National Catholic Forensic League after receiving important wins at Coast Forensic League and California State High School Speech and Debate tournaments.

“This is the first of our performance nights,” said Leland High School speech and debate instructor Gay Brasher. “There is probably a lot of curiosity about what we do. This will give them an opportunity to see. We’d like to invite all the community to come.”

Leland High School’s Speech and Debate fund-raiser will be held April 7, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the cafeteria. A donation of $3 for students and $5 for adults is requested. The school is located at 6677 Camden Ave., San Jose.

Holy Spirit School participates in Diocesan Academic Decathlon

Holy Spirit School junior high students recently competed against other Catholic school students in the area and took fourth place in a Diocesan Academic Decathlon.

The Academic Junior High Decathlon is an annual event for California Catholic Schools. The winning team overall in the San Jose Diocese goes to Los Angeles in May for the state championship.

Queen of Apostles School came in first overall for the Diocese of San Jose, and Holy Spirit School came in fourth overall. The students study individually with their respective coaches (faculty members) starting in November. The school begins team building and team practice for the logic quiz and super quiz (team efforts) in January. Each team member has an alternate in case he/she is unable to attend the event due to an emergency.

According to Principal Eileen Cully, all 20 students worked hard, supported one another, and attended the event held at Archbishop Mitty High School on March 4. “We are very pleased with the results, but most especially proud of how the students represented Holy Spirit School showing sportsmanship, teamwork and over enthusiasm for academic achievement,” she said.

The team members’ names, academic area of study and respective coaches’ names are listed below as well as the team and individual awards.

Current Events – Carolyn Doyle (coach); English – Annemarie Grusonik (coach); Anthony Graham ; Kaitlyn Jensen – first place; Alt. David Rosas; Alt. Julie Perrone.

Fine Arts – Megan Gluhan / Sonia Rossi (coach); Literature – Carol Collins (coach); Nicki McMorrow; Kiersten Sandvick; Alt. Joseph Pisacane; Alt. Allie Piunti.

Math – Amy Rohtbach (coach); Religion – Marissa Morales (coach); Laura Perrone – second place; Mallory Collins; Alt. Jack Galvin; Alt. Ann Nakamura.

Science – Richard Rowe (coach); Social Studies – Manny Martinez (coach); Kyle Medeiros – first place; Ian Parker; Alt. Ramey Parks; Alt. Drew Antes.

Super Quiz/Logic Quiz (additional team members for this category); Jennifer Kirkland and Timothy Reynolds; Alt. Sabrini Li and Dom Santomieri.

Castillero Jazz Band rocks and wins

The Castillero Jazz Band rocked at KFOG 98.5 radio station, performing their winning “Old Time Rock and Roll” and picking up a nifty $2,500 check for their music department. Photo courtesy of Purveen Canteenwala

Castillero Middle School’s Advanced Drama presents “Honk! Jr.” on Friday, March 31 at 7:30 p.m., and Saturday, April 1, with two shows at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. in the Indoor Commons. The tickets cost $7 for reserved seating, $5 for general seating and $3 for students up to age 12.

All performances will feature the talented local students from the advanced drama program. They have been working with a vocal director, choreographer and director in preparing this British pop musical, which won the Olivier Award for best musical in Britain. The story is based on the classic Hans Christian Anderson tale, “The Ugly Duckling,” and is full of exciting musical numbers and solos. Songs include “A Poultry Tale,” “Different,” “Every Tear a Mother Cries” and “Play With Our Food.”

The story is full of lessons on courage and the hidden rewards of being different. In this high-spirited barnyard tale, all the ducks are surprised to find out who really is the best-looking bird in the pond!

Valley Christian High School presents ‘Oklahoma!’

Valley Christian Theatre is currently presenting one of Broadway’s best-loved classics, “Oklahoma!” and the final performances will be this weekend.

Valley Christian Theatre is currently presenting one of Broadway’s best-loved classics, “Oklahoma!” and the final performances will be this weekend.

A story rich with the hopes and dreams of a small, turn-of–the-century, agricultural community, “Oklahoma!” remains a perennial favorite with theatergoers of all ages. What has kept this old workhorse alive during the age of the contemporary Broadway blockbuster? In the world of the “Les Miserable” barricade, the “Phantom of the Opera” chandelier and the “Miss Saigon” helicopter, how does a simple tale of young love and frontier dreams have such a powerful impact on audiences? The answer is in the simplicity itself. “Oklahoma!” is a breath of fresh air in our busy lives. The overwhelming optimism of the “territory folks” renews in us a sense of hope for the future, and reminds us of what is truly important in life: family, friends, hard work, and most of all, love.

Featuring memorable numbers such as “Oh What a Beautiful Mornin,’” “The Surry with The Fringe on Top,” “People Will Say We’re in Love,” “I Can’t Say No,” and the final rousing title number, “Oklahoma!” is a musical treat for the entire family. Valley Christian Theatre just completed a successful first weekend, and anticipates another crowd-pleasing run. Remaining performances are this Wednesday through Saturday, March 22, 23, 24 and 25 at 7:30 p.m. Ticket prices are as follows: Adults $14, seniors and students $12, and children $10 (12 years and under). Contact the Valley Christian Theatre Box Office at (408) 513-2438 to order tickets.