SFHS Reigns Supreme at Speech and Debate Championship

Tattler Staff
February 27, 2023

Santa Fe High sophomore Josh Almeida took first place at the New Mexico State Speech and Debate Championship for Dramatic Interpretation on Feb. 24-25.

Senior Nandi Strieker took second place for Humorous Interpretation.

In addition, the team was one of three schools in the state to be recognized for “New Mexico Speech School of Honor.”

Team coach Lisa Goldman added, “Alex Gonzales Medina, Justin Mirabal, and Reina Duran all worked their butts off in debate as well.”

Ms. Goldman also explained more about the above awards: Josh won Dramatic Interpretation for his take on an episode of Family Guy, exposing the subtext of an episode that features Brian and Stewie stuck in a bank vault where Brian contemplates his existential demise as a dog. “Josh’s interpretation of these scene was darkly funny and brilliant,” she said.

Nandi interpreted a scene from a book that features the adult character interacting with various iterations of her child self. “Incredible physical comedy,” said Ms. Goldman.

The team next competes in the National Qualifiers on March 17 and 18.