Nick Petaccio '16 and Evan Dugery '16 Finish 14th at National Catholic Specch and Debate Finals

Ten students from La Salle College High School competed at the 2016 National Catholic Forensics League (NCFL) National Finals, with seniors Nicholas Petaccio '16 and Evan Dugery '16 placing 14th nationally in Policy Debate. Over 2,460 students from 518 schools qualified from 67 diocesan leagues to compete at the 65th NCFL National Finals in Sacramento, CA over Memorial Day Weekend.

Nick and Evan are the seventh La Salle team in the last ten years to finish in the Top 16 (including the National Champions in 2010) of Policy Debate at NCFL National Finals. They are also the twelfth La Salle team to finish in the Top 32 of Policy Debate at NCFL National Finals. Both of these accomplishments are more than any other school in the country! Along with fellow qualifiers William Oxenford '17 and John Santoro '18, Nick and Evan debated both sides of the year-long topic Resolved: The United States Federal Government should substantially curtail its domestic surveillance.

NCFL Policy Debate Qualifiers Nick Petaccio '16,
Evan Dugery '16, John Santoro '18, and Bill Oxenford '17

Seniors Fred Blunt '16 and Shawn Robinson '16 both finished with winning records in Lincoln-Douglas Debate and each finished one win shy of advancing to the elimination rounds at NCFL Nationals. Along with fellow qualifier David Grabowski '16, they debated both sides of the topic Resolved: In a just democracy, elections for public office should be financed solely by public funding.

NCFL Lincoln-Douglas Debate Qualifiers David Grabowski '16,
Shawn Robinson '16, and Fred Blunt '16

Junior Ben Fedgechin '17 qualified to NCFL Nationals in Original Oratory. Ben wrote, memorized, and presented a 10-minute persuasive speech on the importance of storytelling and oral tradition in our families and society. Sophomore Patrick Kelly '18 qualified in Oratorical Declamation. Pat edited, memorized, and presented a 10-minute selection of Eduardo Briceno's TEDTalk on growth-mindset entitled The Power of Belief. Senior Domenico Mazzeo '16 qualified in the Dramatic Performance event, with his 10-minute, memorized, humorous interpretation of the play Imaginary Harry.

NCFL Speech Qualifiers Ben Fedgechin '17, Patrick Kelly '18, and Dom Mazzeo '16