{"id":249871,"date":"2017-04-10T06:00:31","date_gmt":"2017-04-09T20:00:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/?p=249871"},"modified":"2017-04-10T06:00:31","modified_gmt":"2017-04-09T20:00:31","slug":"gca-students-bag-seven-golds-forensic-tilt","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/gca-students-bag-seven-golds-forensic-tilt\/","title":{"rendered":"GCA students bag seven golds in forensic tilt"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id='gallery-1' class='gallery galleryid-249871 gallery-columns-3 gallery-size-thumbnail'><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon '>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/gca-students-bag-seven-golds-forensic-tilt\/gca-nsda-2017-regional-winners\/'>GCA-NSDA-2017-Regional-winners<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-249876'>\n\t\t\t\tGrace Christian Academy\u2019s National Junior Speech and Debate Association regional  winners. (Contributed Photo)\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon '>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/gca-students-bag-seven-golds-forensic-tilt\/gca-pix1-4\/'>GCA-pix1<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-249877'>\n\t\t\t\tGrace Christian Academy\u2019s Primary Grade Forensic Competition 2017 regional winners. (Contributed Photo)\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon '>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/gca-students-bag-seven-golds-forensic-tilt\/gca-pix2-4\/'>GCA-pix2<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-249878'>\n\t\t\t\tGrace Christian Academy\u2019s National Speech and Debate Association regional winners. (Contributed Photo)\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<p>Grace Christian Academy students bagged seven gold medals in this school year\u2019s regional forensic arts competitions in all divisions from Kindergarten to 12th grade. <\/p>\n<p>Four GCA gold medalists will join the CNMI team in the upcoming national competitions for National Junior Speech and Debate Association and National Speech and Debate Association this June in Birmingham, Alabama. <\/p>\n<p>The GCA\u2019s gold medalists were led by 12th grader Minna Natsuko Ito, who will represent the CNMI in original oratory.<\/p>\n<p>This may be Ito\u2019s last forensics competition but her best yet because she also won another two gold medals in expository speech and impromptu speech.<\/p>\n<p>Ito, a veteran competitor who has been representing the islands in different categories since 6th grade, said, \u201cSpeech and debate has been such a huge part of my life, from performing Shel Silverstein\u2019s \u2018Sick\u2019 in first grade to competing at the national level in high school. I feel so honored to represent my island in Birmingham in my last year of high school, and I will definitely work my hardest to bring pride to the CNMI.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Another 12th grader and veteran competitor, Yujin Lee, will join Ito in the CNMI National Debate and Speech Association team after winning gold in dramatic interpretation.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt was truly an honor to represent not only Grace Christian Academy but the CNMI for the last seven years,\u201d said Lee.<\/p>\n<p>Lee said that joining the national speech and debate competitions \u201chas been one of the best decisions of my life, a door to a whole new world was opened for me. For my last trip, I will cherish every moment and do my best in my performances. I hope to set an example for my younger peers so that they will come to join and love the NSDA.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>GCA also has two gold medalists who will join the CNMI National Junior Speech and Debate Association team for the national competition. Both first timers at the national competition, Na Lee Christy Lee and James Alexander Keaton were excited after winning the gold medals in Lincoln-Douglas debate and extemporaneous speaking, respectively. <\/p>\n<p>The 8th grader Lee said, \u201cJoining NJSDA for the past years has honed my skills in public speaking. This year, I am honored to represent GCA in the Lincoln-Douglas debate for the regional competition. My hard work paid off, and it will truly be an awesome privilege to represent the CNMI team at the national competition in June. This trip will not only enhance my skills, but surely build memories, friendship, teamwork, and help me gain more experience that will continually help me in my future public speaking.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Keaton, a 7th grader, was enthralled upon learning that he won the top spot in extemporaneous speaking. \u201cReading different articles as well as present issues helped me organized my thoughts in preparation for the competition. Truly, I am honored to represent the CNMI team in Birmingham. This event will give me more experience, meeting new friends as a team and, most importantly, to inspire others though public speaking.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Fourth grader Tae Hee Kim, who won a gold medal in dramatic interpretation, will represent GCA at the Primary Grades Forensic Conference special banquet presentation for the PGFC gold medalists at the end of the school year. Like all the older gold medalists who started competing in PGFC competitions during their younger years, Kim has been competing since she was in kindergarten. Kim believes in the old adage \u201cpractice makes perfect,\u201d which their PGFC coordinator Esther Manzano always tell the competitors. \u201cI feel proud, and I think that this well-known saying is true. I also feel really blessed in my PGFC accomplishment this school year,\u201d Kim said.<\/p>\n<p>Organized by the National Forensic League board with Harold Easton as the chairman and supported by the CNMI Public School System, PGFC, NJSDA, and NSDA competitions encourage public and private school students to participate in and become proficient in the forensic arts: reading, debate, public speaking, and interpretations. <\/p>\n<p>PGFC coordinators and competition registrar Esther Manzano and NJSDA\/NSDA Grace Duran, together with all the GCA volunteer judges, parents, teachers, and administrators, are very proud of all their forensic competitors this year.<\/p>\n<p><strong>NSDA WINNERS<br \/>\n(9TH-12TH GRADE) <\/strong><br \/>\nAll of the 10 GCA competitors who competed with over a hundred 9th to 12th grade students from private and public schools at this year\u2019s NSDA regional competition (held in March at Marianas High School) won one or more of the top major awards.<\/p>\n<p>Minna Natsuko Ito<br \/>\n1st Place in Original Oratory<br \/>\n1st Place in Expository Speech<br \/>\n1st place in Impromptu Speech<\/p>\n<p>Yujin Lee<br \/>\n1st Place in Dramatic<br \/>\nInterpretation<br \/>\n3rd Place in Story Telling<br \/>\n2nd Place in Prose Reading<br \/>\n5th Place in Poetry Reading<\/p>\n<p>Sumin Melody Woo<br \/>\n3rd Place in Dramatic<br \/>\nInterpretation<br \/>\n4th Place in Poetry Reading<\/p>\n<p>Arvin Dayao<br \/>\n2nd Place in U.S. Extemporaneous Speech<br \/>\nCommentary finalist<\/p>\n<p>Martin Angelo Pangilinan<br \/>\n3rd Place in U.S. Extemporaneous Speech<br \/>\nCommentary finalist<\/p>\n<p>Lanz Jabez Victoria<br \/>\n4th Place International Extemporaneous Speech<br \/>\nCommentary finalist<br \/>\nTae Yong Kim<br \/>\n5th Place in Dramatic Interpretation<br \/>\nSemifinalist in Poetry Reading<\/p>\n<p>Alice Kim, 5th Place in Duo Interpretation<br \/>\nSemi Finalist in Prose Reading<\/p>\n<p>Sein Woo<br \/>\n5th Place in Duo Interpretation<\/p>\n<p><strong>NJSDA WINNERS<br \/>\n(6TH-8TH GRADE) <\/strong><br \/>\nAlmost all of the GCA competitors who competed with over a hundred 6th to 8th grade students from private and public schools advanced to the next rounds in this year\u2019s NJSDA regional competition (held in February at Mount Carmel School). <\/p>\n<p>Na Lee Christy Lee, 1st Place in Lincoln Douglas Debate, 5th Place in Extemporaneous Speech<\/p>\n<p>James Alexander Keaton, 1st Place in Extemporaneous Speech<\/p>\n<p>Joyce Liv Francisco, Semi Finalist in Poetry Reading<\/p>\n<p>Emily Lee, Semi Finalist in Poetry Reading<\/p>\n<p>Steven Adriatico, Semi Finalist in Prose Reading<\/p>\n<p>Matthew Ernest, Semi Finalist in Prose Reading <\/p>\n<p>Anthony Jacob Camacho DLG, Finalist in Extemporaneous Speech<\/p>\n<p>Soleil Lamar, Finalist in Duo Interpretation<\/p>\n<p>Brandie Matsumoto, Finalist in Duo Interpretation<\/p>\n<p>NJSDA\/NSDA Coach\/Coordinator- Miss Grace Duran<\/p>\n<p><strong>PGFC WINNERS<\/strong><br \/>\nOver 200 Kindergarten to 5th grade students from 10 private and public schools vied for this school year\u2019s PGFC regional awards in forensic arts: reading, public speaking, and interpretations at Grace Christian Academy last March 25, 2017.<\/p>\n<p><strong>KINDERGARTEN &#8211;<br \/>\n2ND GRADE <\/strong><br \/>\nFirst Round<br \/>\nHumorous Interpretation A<br \/>\nHans Gabriel Ordas, 3rd Place<br \/>\nHannah Gabaldon, 5th Place<\/p>\n<p>Impromptu Speaking A<br \/>\nJonathan Rosh Vivero, 2nd Place<br \/>\nHans Gabriel Ordas, 3rd Place<br \/>\nSofia Cariaso, 5th\u00a0Place<\/p>\n<p>Impromptu Speaking B<br \/>\nArielle Mae Matutino, 1st Place<br \/>\nMin Su Andy Kim, 5th Place<\/p>\n<p>Final Round<\/p>\n<p>Humorous Interpretation<br \/>\nHans Gabriel Ordas, 5th Place<br \/>\nHannah Gabaldon, Finalist<br \/>\nBreanna May Lopez, Finalist<br \/>\nAiyana Victory Fatialofa, Finalist<\/p>\n<p>Dramatic Interpretation<br \/>\nMaria Sofia Gomez, 3rd Place<br \/>\nBreanna May Lopez, 5th Place<\/p>\n<p>Impromptu Speaking<br \/>\nArielle Mae Matutino, 2nd Place<br \/>\nJonathan Rosh Vivero, Finalist<br \/>\nHans Gabriel Ordas, Finalist<br \/>\nSofia Cariaso, Finalist<br \/>\nMariska Badal, Finalist<br \/>\nLlyana Jaira Manalang, Finalist<br \/>\nMin Su Andy Kim, Finalist<\/p>\n<p>Readers Forum<br \/>\nLlyanna Jaira Manalang, Finalist<\/p>\n<p><strong>3RD GRADE-5TH GRADE<br \/>\nFirst Round<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Readers Forum A<br \/>\nEunice Nicole Pagaduan, 4th Place<\/p>\n<p>Readers Forum Masters B<br \/>\nJennifer Woo Tae, 1st Place<br \/>\nAshley Ji Hye Jeon, 2nd Place<\/p>\n<p>Readers Forum Masters D<br \/>\nTae Hee Kim, 2nd Place<\/p>\n<p>Readers Forum Masters E<br \/>\nAzriel Fatialofa, 1st Place<br \/>\nYellena Sarang Kim, 3rd Place<\/p>\n<p>Humorous Interpretation A<br \/>\nWilliam Matthew Cano, 4th Place<br \/>\nAzriel Fatialofa, 5th\u00a0Place<\/p>\n<p>Humorous Interpretation B<br \/>\nAshley Ji Hye Jeon, 3rd Place<br \/>\nSerim Woo, 5th Place<\/p>\n<p>Duo Interpretation B<br \/>\nMoira Grace Ernest, 4th Place<br \/>\nSeungeun Olivia Ha, 4th Place<br \/>\nImpromptu Speaking\u00a0A<br \/>\nEunice Nicole Pagaduan, 2nd Place<br \/>\nNestor Ablog Jr., 2nd Place<\/p>\n<p>Impromptu Speaking\u00a0B<br \/>\nMoira Grace Ernest, 3rd Place<\/p>\n<p>Readers Forum Quarter Finals A<br \/>\nJennifer Woo, 1st Place<br \/>\nEunice Nicole Pagaduan, 3rd Place<br \/>\nAshley Ji Hye Jeon, 5th Place<br \/>\nRafael Busby, Quarter Finalist<\/p>\n<p>Readers Forum Quarter Finals B<br \/>\nTae Hee Kim, 2nd Place<br \/>\nNestor Ablog Jr., 4th Place<\/p>\n<p>Readers Forum Quarter Finals C<br \/>\nKei Lizama, 4th Place<br \/>\nAzriel Fatialofa, Quarter<br \/>\nFinalist<br \/>\nYellena Sarang Kim, Quarter<br \/>\nFinalist<\/p>\n<p>Readers Forum Semi Finals<br \/>\nAshley Ji Hye Jeon, 1st Place<br \/>\nTae Hee Kim, 4th Place<br \/>\nKei Lizama, 5th Place<br \/>\nJennifer Woo, Semi Finalist<br \/>\nAngieleysha Marie Punzalan,<br \/>\nSemi Finalist<br \/>\nEunice Nicole Pagaduan, Semi<br \/>\nFinalist<br \/>\nNestor Ablog Jr., Semi Finalist<\/p>\n<p>Final Round<br \/>\nDramatic Interpretation<br \/>\nTae Hee Kim, 1st Place<br \/>\nJennifer Woo, 4th\u00a0Place<\/p>\n<p>Humorous Interpretation<br \/>\nWilliam Matthew Cano, Finalist<br \/>\nAzriel Fatialofa, Finalist<br \/>\nSena Woo, Finalist<br \/>\nAshley Ji Hye Jeon, Finalist<br \/>\nSerim Woo, Finalist<br \/>\nOlivia Ha, Finalist<\/p>\n<p>Duo Interpretation<br \/>\nMoira Grace Ernest, Finalist<br \/>\nSeungeun Olivia Ha, Finalist<\/p>\n<p>Impromptu Speaking\u00a0<br \/>\nMoira Grace Ernest, 3rd Place<br \/>\nEunice Nicole Pagaduan, Finalist<br \/>\nNestor Ablog Jr., Finalist<br \/>\nAlex Kim, Finalist<\/p>\n<p>Readers Forum Masters<br \/>\nTae Hee Kim, 2nd Place<br \/>\nAshley Ji Hye Jeon, Finalist<br \/>\nKei Lizama, Finalist<br \/>\nJennifer Woo, Finalist<br \/>\nAngieleysha Marie Punzalan,<br \/>\nFinalist<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Grace Christian Academy students bagged seven gold medals in this school year\u2019s regional forensic arts&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":28,"featured_media":249876,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[12],"tags":[26,698,739,16276],"class_list":["post-249871","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-campus-life","tag-cnmi","tag-gca","tag-pgfc","tag-semi-finalist"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/249871","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/28"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=249871"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/249871\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/249876"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=249871"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=249871"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=249871"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}