Chesterton Speech and Debate a top National Team: Chesterton was one of only eleven schools that won Excellence in Speech Award at the recent National Tournament. Over 650 schools competed at the tournament in Charlotte, North Carolina. Team members pictured here are, second row, Evan Oliver, Owen Sutkowski, Kat White, Seren Orgel, Nate Whitmer, Jeff Imhof, Rizwan Ahmed and Ray Rodriguez. Front row, Joanne Dubach, Abby Deuberry, John Jernigan, Francesca Smith, Allison Vodnoy and Tamara Carnahan. (Photo provided)

John Jernigan is leaving Chesterton High School in style.

The 2002 CHS graduate has won the national championship in foreign extemporaneous speaking after defeating a field of 196 extempers through 13 rounds.

Nate Whitmer and Joanne Dubach also went 13 rounds and made it to the championship round at the tournament held in Charlotte, N.C. They finished fourth in the nation in a field of around 200.

Tamara Carnahan advanced to the final round in House competition and finished 11th in the nation in a field of 205 congress competitors.

Owen Sutkowski made it to the final round in the Senate competition and finished 13th in the nation in a field of 192 senators.

Francesca Smith made it to quarterfinals in prose interpretation, a supplementary event.

Of the 650 schools who competed at the tournament, Chesterton was one of only 11 to win the Excellence in Speech award. That honor is comparable to winning the national championship.

Posted 6/24/2002