Christopher Kordaris, grade 10
The Speech and Debate (Forensics) Team had a stellar year competing against
many top New York schools at the State Finals on April 4 th , at the Bronx High
School of Science. Kennedy Team member, Andrew Lombardi, grade 9, competed
against students from Regis, Bronx Science and Scarsdale in the Declamation
category. Andrew’s powerful emotion and passion took him all the way to the state
finals. Christopher Kordaris, grade 10, used Declamation and Oratorical
Interpretation (Reading of Prose and Poetry) to propel him into State Finals as a
Debater in Intermediate Public Forum Debate.
Michael Higgins, grade 10, qualified for State Finals as Kennedy’s only Dramatic Performance competitor!
Dylan Servillo, grade 12, and Kevin Reynolds, grade 11, competed throughout the
season in the Varsity Oral Interpretation category, beating students from top
schools, including St. Joseph Hill Academy, Iona Prep, and Kellenberg Memorial.
Kevin Reynolds would reach the NY State Finals in the Intermediate Debate
category, edging out Regis High School of New York City, the top-rated debate
team in the country. Kevin was a great asset to the Kennedy Team, serving well as
a Team Leader. Senior, Jake Colasuonno, Kennedy Team member, competed in
the Student Congress category, reaching the NY State Finals by preparing and
delivering excellent speeches. Jake Colasuonno went up against top schools,
Stuyvesant, Brooklyn Tech, Byram Hills and Pleasantville and made a strong
showing.
Tessa Schimenti and Mia Ung, both in grade 9, represented Kennedy
well at the NY State Finals doing excellent work in the category of Novice Public
Forum Debate. Tessa and Mia competed against the top schools in the state,
coming out ahead of a number of schools including Riverdale Country School,
Chamade, Syosset and Marymount. The New York State Competition was a fitting
conclusion to a successful year for Kennedy Speech and Debate.
This was all made possible by the dedication of Coach, Dr. John B. Murphy, who organized,
encouraged, coached and coordinated all aspects of Kennedy Speech and Debate
(Forensics). We can all be proud of our First Year Kennedy Speech and Debate
Team, and we look forward to continued growth, progress and success during
2025-26.