Hamilton High School’s forensics team earned its second conference 
championship in as many years by taking first place Feb. 18 at the Greater Metro Conference (GMC) tournament held at Divine Savior Holy Angels High School. The forensics team set a team record at the tournament with 20 of its 25 entries placing in the top three of their respective categories.
In addition to earning the team championship title, five Hamilton students were conference champions. Following are the individual awards:
- Erin Magoon, conference champion in Informative Speaking;
- Emma Stokman, conference champion in Demonstration Speaking;
- Matthew Gnanadass, conference champion in Extemporaneous Speaking;
- Ritika Patel and Mallory Remm, conference champion in Play Acting;
- Rashelle Pershman, conference champion in Prose;
- Rachel Seraphine and Sean Seraphine, second place in Play Acting;
- Emily Keith, second place in Special Occasion Speaking;
- Emily Berger and Maanya Kashyap, second place in Duo Interpretation;
- Jack Larsen, second place in Extemporaneous Speaking;
- Jordan Koeller, second place in Informative Speaking;
- Kavya Ayalasomayajula, second place in Solo Serious Speaking;
- Ciara Cronin, second place in Storytelling;
- Manola Inthavong, third place in Poetry;
- Mia Leukert, third place in Demonstration Speaking;
- Amanjot Yadev, third place in Informative Speaking;
- Abigail Meihsner, third place in Moments in History;
- Harper Rhoades, third place in Oratory;
- Victoria Graf, Mehak Oberoi and Swathi Prasad, third place in Play Acting;
- Elise Rades, third place in Solo Serious Speaking; and
- Molly Hubred, third place in Special Occasion Speaking.
Focusing on developing students’ public speaking and communication skills, the high school forensics team helps students build confidence and community through extra-curricular competition.