I affirm the following resolution: Resolved: Clark’s Speech and Debate team is one of the best in Vegas.

Last weekend, students from across Vegas competed in the Golden Desert District’s annual County Speech and Debate Tournament. Led by club president Manushri Desai and advisors Robin Brown and Nathan Vigrass, Clark took fourth place overall and earned awards in nearly every event.

“Clark’s performance at County was indicative of the hard work that our team has put into our events,” says Clark’s Vice President Solomon Siu. “I am proud that we had members not only place at this tournament, but also put so much effort into doing their best.”

Here are the winners:

In Domestic Extemp, Sophia Adams placed 5th.

In Foreign Extemp, Zachary Waluskey placed 5th.

In Informative, Jaiya McMillan placed 1st. McMillan also placed 4th in Informative.

In Dramatic Interpretation, Manushri Desai placed 1st.

In Junior Varsity Lincoln Douglas, Katherine Van Voorhis placed 1st.In Varsity, Michael Pasimio was a Quarter-Finalist and Brennan Ferrington placed 2nd.

In Junior Varsity Public Forum, Neel Vasu and Ameya Singh were Quarter-Finalists. In Varsity, Shivam Saran and Manushri Desai were Quarter-Finalists.

In Junior Varsity Super House, Sahi Chundu placed 6th.

In Varsity Super Senate, Brock Walker received top chair.

Clark’s team has been growing with more success every year. And their efforts haven’t gone unnoticed. Last year, Brown was awarded her first Diamond award from the National Speech and Debate Association for her exemplary work ethic and determination as a coach. And not to mention, she earned 15,000+ NSDA points.

“The support and mentorship from Ms. Brown and Mr. Vigrass have been an integral part of our team’s success,” says sophomore Rishi Saran. “Our team wouldn’t be the same without them.”

Clark’s fourth place sweepstake accomplishment demonstrates the team’s impressive improvement, and continual pursuit of the top. But ever since the county tournament ended, the team has been preparing for this year’s Nevada State tournament at Arbor View High School.

Whether it be spending hours clipping cards to Evernote, or to staying up till 4 a.m. finishing cases, the Clark Speech and Debate team is preparing for victory this weekend.

For all those reasons and more, I stand in strong affirmation of this resolution.