2019 Forensics Awards Summary

Thirteen students earned varsity letters with seven qualifiying for national competion.

Advancing to nationals in Dallas, Texas, in June are frosh Reesha Bhagat in Lincoln-Douglas debate, sophomore Aaron Yeakey in Congressional debate, senior Alistair Tollar in United States Extemporaneous speaking; and the World Schools Debate team of junior Christian Yoder and seniors Rachel Leininger, Philip Krabill, and Alex Cartwright. 

Earning varsity letters (pictured from left) are senior Carlos Orellana (1), frosh Jacob Leininger (1), senior Philip Krabill (4), senior Fiona Yeakey (4), senior Alistair tollar (4), sophomore Jack Hager (2), senior Alex Cartwright (2), senior Rachel Leininger (2), junior Christian Yoder (3), frosh Reesha Bhagat (1); sophomore Naomi Klassen (2) and sophomore Erika Lopez (1). Not pictured: junior Zana Mlotshwa (3).

Lopez won the award for most NFL (National Forensic League) points by a first-year speaker with 177. Krabill won the varsity award for single-season points with 296.  Fiona Yeakey was awarded a trophy for high career total with 1350, the second highest in Bethany history behind sister Lena Yeakey's 1905 in 2015. 

Yoder was also honored at the dinner for being  awarded Academic All-American status by the National Speech and Debate Association. Students winning this award have competed in at least five semesters of high school forensics in which they have been awarded at least 750 NFL points while maintaining a 3.75 grade point average.  

The speech team finished third in state and the debate team finished 7th in state, the highest in school history. The World Schools debate team also qualified to advance to nationals.

Coach Michael Yeakey earned his second diamond pin for reaching 3,000 points.