Chagrin Falls High School junior Kate Stephenson and senior Hattie Sherman competed at the Chagrin Valley Rotary Four-Way Test speech contest on March 14...
Chagrin Valley Rotary Four-Way Test Speech Contest
Chagrin Falls High School junior Kate Stephenson and senior Hattie Sherman competed at the Chagrin Valley Rotary Four-Way Test speech contest on March 14. It is an annual competition between Chagrin Falls High School and Kenston High School. There is one winner from each school that moves on to compete in the district competition at Kent Roosevelt High School on April 9.
Stephenson wrote a speech about the importance of music education in schools. As part of the high school’s speech and debate team, she competes in Original Oratory.
Sherman, who won for Chagrin Falls High School, wrote a speech about the importance of instituting government regulations regarding the labeling of GMO and non-GMO foods. She competes in Humorous Interpretation.
The competition gives students the opportunity to apply the principles of Rotary International’s Four-Way Test to a current ethical issue. Students are challenged to identify a topic they feel strongly about and to adopt a point of view from which they will seek to persuade others.
The speech must be five to seven minutes in length. Each part of the Four-Way Test should be addressed during the speech: Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendships? Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
CFHS Girls Soccer Team Recognized at Ohio Statehouse
Chagrin Falls High School’s girls soccer team had a personalized tour of the Ohio House and Senate building on March 16. They were also invited to enjoy lunch with state Senator Matt Dolan. Afterwards, they proceeded to the Senate floor where Sen. Dolan spoke about the accomplishments of the team and their season.
He presented the team with a resolution plaque honoring them as the 2021 OHSAA Division II State Soccer Champions. In addition, Sen. Dolan presented a resolution plaque to both coaches with their own proclamation plaque.
“The team and Coach Malone did an outstanding job on the field and also work hard to better the community,” said Dolan on his Twitter feed.
CFMS Speech and Debate Team Conclude Amazing Season
The Chagrin Falls Middle School speech and debate team had an amazing season that ended with competing in the state tournament on March 12-13.
“This team of dedicated and diligent students were recognized over and over throughout the season placing and ranking in every tournament,” said coach Courtney Polcar. “After many tournaments on many Saturdays and countless hours of practice, Chagrin Falls Middle School is yet again home to three speech and state champions for speech and debate.”
Sofia De La Cruz won the state championship in Original Oratory.
Rory Rohde and Will Allen tied after seven grueling debates and proved to the judges that they both deserved to hold the title of state champions for extemporaneous debates.
Jennah Hamden made it to the quarterfinals.
All of Chagrin’s state competitors ranked in the top 12 in their category for the State of Ohio.
“The students who competed exuded courage to the fullest,” said Principal Laila Discenza. “They were excited to compete, hopeful for a victory and well prepared. Congratulations to our state winners. Their strong performances represent their expertise and commitment.”
CFHS Students View Short Film Thanks to Partnership with Chagrin Documentary Film Festival Illuminate
Chagrin Documentary Film Festival Illuminate Student Program co-directors Jean Kanzinger and Dee Dee Pearce organized a school-wide film event on March 14 during the Tiger Period.
Students in grades 9-12 viewed the short film “Full Picture,” featuring Santina Muha and directed by Jacob Reed. The 12-minute short documentary addresses how during the pandemic, Santina, for the first time since she’s been wheelchair bound, had the choice to choose when (or if) she disclosed her disability.
Before students watched the film, they had classroom discussions reflecting on what they learned about themselves during the pandemic, especially throughout the experiences participating in school on Zoom. Students also discussed how they define themselves. After the film, students participated in a group activity graphically organizing commonalities they share. To wrap up the activity, students brought the discussion back to the theme of courage.
Students who watched the film previously in the school year had the opportunity to Zoom with the director and subject of the film. They were able to ask questions and discuss perception and how it relates to courage.
The event was inspired by the work of the entire district to incorporate the theme of “Courage” into conversations and programming in grades preK-12. Kanzinger worked in collaboration with Chagrin Falls Schools’ library media specialist Angie Jameson and choral director Nate Bachofsky to add this event to the calendar to support the March Courage theme: Finding the courage to face adversity.
