The 1st SCJFL Speech Tournament took place on 10/19 at Jefferson Middle School. A total of 173 students from nine schools participated.

Kudos had 10 competitors entered in the tournament and 4 of them broke into Finals and brought back trophies, marking a good performance overall and delighted the parents and coaches alike.

8th grader Cassie Kao have been training with Kudos since 5th grade and this year she chose Congress and Speech as her focus. She was crowned Champion in Prose in the tournament! Cassie has been a role model for her peers due to her diligence and positive attitude, no matter how busy she is, she always shows up and is ready to work when it comes to competition training.

Kaylee Wong finished the first two speech and debate fundamental years at Kudos and decided to join the Speech Team as a competitor after convincing her parents this year. Her determination and great work ethics were exemplified with her taking home 6th place in Prose in her first ever competition!

7th grader Ryan Sieh took home 3rd place in Storytelling among 32 competitors in this event. Being an experienced competitor, his consistent performance has made his parents proud.

Like Cassie, 8th grader Christina Xu has also been with Kudos for more than 3 years. She is naturally gifted when it comes to body movements and is great with voice and facial expressions on stage. She was placed 4th place in Storytelling and is very happy with the result.

Also worth mentioning was 8th grade new comer Isabel Cai. She performed very well in prelims, placing 2nd in each round and although she did not break into Finals due to minimal score differences, but her consistent and mature performance was worthy of accolades!

We congratulate all competitors! It didn’t matter if the students won a trophy or not, this first competition of the year was no doubt a great start and an encouragement to all students here at Kudos.

On May 19th, 2018, at Roosevelt Elementary School in San Gabriel, 235 elementary students from eight schools competed in speech and debate. This was the largest elementary-level tournament ever held in Southern California. In SPAR debate (Spontaneous Argumentation) alone, there were 99 entries. The full-day Saturday event was filled with excitement and fun.

Thirty-three Kudos 4th and 5th grade students from Temple City and Walnut campuses’ Level II classes participated in the tournament. Out of the 33 students, 24 trophies were won! That’s more than 70% achievement.

Out of the 99 SPAR entries, 30 were advanced to final rounds. 13 Kudos students were among the 30 final contestants, which represented 43% of the final group!

Parents spent the day with their children, sharing, for some, the first forensics tournament experience in their lives! All in all, a great Mother’s Day celebration!

Temple City Level 2 Students with teacher Mr. Seymour

Walnut Elementary Level II Students with teacher Mr. Oscar Mira

Original Interpretation Placement and Student Names

1 Alan Alexander and Ethan Dong

2 Salvia Sun and Stephanie Jing

3 Charlene Pau

Duo Interpretation Placement and Student Names

2 Alan Alexander and Ethan Dong

4 Iris Mao and Nicole Fung

5 Pearl Hsieh and Faith Huang

SPAR Final Round Placement and Student Names

6th place: Alan Alexander

7th place: Eric Zhang (Walnut)

8th place: Ethan Dong

9th place: Evan Yao (Walnut)

14th: Evan Chen

16th: Ted Hong (Walnut)

21st: Stephanie Jin

22nd: Andy Liu

26th: Daniel Sheng

27th: Cindy Chou (Walnut)

28th: Katie Chen (Walnut)

29th: Katelyn Li

30th: Sophia Ren

More than three-hundred students from thirty-five schools, sixteen states, and three countries attended the second annual Middle School National Tournament of Champions hosted by the University of Kentucky.

The university hosted the first high school Tournament of Champions in 1971. Fifteen Kudos students attended the tournament, and nine of them went home with trophies. Kudos was one of only two schools in the country with semifinalists in more than one debate events.

In policy debate, Ethan Chang and Aaron Lee finished in second place. Ethan was also seventh speaker.

In Lincoln-Douglas (LD) debate, Aaron Zhang won the third place and was seventh speaker. Christina Feng reached the partial octafinal round (top 10).

In public forum debate, the teams of Abigail Fang and Grace Jin and Alex Fu and Ava Ye both reached the octafinal round (9th place). Sunny Sun was 12th speaker among 136 competitors in PF.
Also in PF, the team of Rachel Bai and Allison Yue, and the team of Ellie Jiang and Sunny Sun finished 3-3, an outstanding record, missed breaking by a slim margin.

Ethan Chang CX w/ Aaron 2nd place
Ethan Chang CX 7th speaker
Aaron Lee CX w/ Ethan 2nd place
Aaron Zhang LD Semifinals (top 4)
Aaron Zhang LD 7th speaker
Christina Feng LD Octafinals (top 10)
Abigail Fang PF w/ Grace Octafinals (top 16)
Grace Jin PF w/ Abigail Octafinals (top 16)
Alex Fu PF w/ Ava Octafinals (top 16)
Ava Ye PF w/ Alex Octafinals (top 16)
Sunny Sun PF 12th speaker

SCJFL 4th Quarter Debate Tournament at Cal Lutheran University:

The fourth league tournament of the school year was held this past weekend at Cal Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks.
Kudos students won trophies in all four debate events.

In public forum debate, three out of the seven teams receiving trophies were Kudos teams. Emma Sieh and Christina Xu from the Temple City campus and Alex Fu and Abigail Fang and Sunny Sun and Ellie Jiang from the Irvine campus were all recognized with winning 3-1 records.

Abigail was the tournament’s 6th speaker. Sunny received 7th speaker, Ellie 8th speaker, and Christina 10th speaker.

In Lincoln-Douglas (LD) debate, Christina Feng was one of three students who finished with a 3-1 record or better. She was also the tournament’s top speaker. Maxwell Lee was 5th speaker, Franklin Zhu 6th speaker, and Maylin Chen 7th speaker.

In policy debate, Aaron Lee and Ethan Chang finished in first place.

In congressional debate, Justin Lim finished in first place and Kaylee Wong, Justin Hong, and Brian Feng had top five finishes. Overall, Kudos had four of the five tournament finalists in congress.

Aaron Lee CX w/ Ethan 1st
Ethan Chang CX w/ Aaron 1st
Emma Sieh PF w/ Christina Finalist (top 7)
Christina Xu PF w/ Emma Finalist (top 7)
Sunny Sun PF w/ Ellie Finalist (top 7)
Ellie Jiang PF w/ Sunnie Finalist (top 7)
Alex Fu PF w/ Abigail Finalist (top 7)
Abigail Fang PF w/ Alex Finalist (top7)
Abigail Fang PF 6th speaker
Sunny Sun PF 7th speaker
Ellie Jiang PF 8th speaker
Christina Xu PF 10th speaker
Christina Feng LD Finalist (top 3)
Christina Feng LD 1st speaker
Maxwell Lee LD 5th speaker
Franklin Zhu LD 6th speaker
Maylin Chen LD 7th speaker
Justin Lim Congress 1st
Kaylee Wong Congress Finalist (top 5)
Justin Hong Congress Finalist (top 5)
Brian Feng Congress Finalist (top 5)
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4th SCJFL speech tournament was held on Jefferson Middle School on April 13. Friday, which concluded as the final tournament of this academic year.

Kudos had total 14 contestants participated in several events.

Among over 150 students, Anvitha Kosuri won Championship in Poetry , Cassie Kao took home 2nd place trophy in Humorous Interpretation along with 3 level II students came from Irvine campus shared this joyful and exciting experiences they had long hoped to witness.

Anvitha was thrilled to receive her Championship trophy

Anvitha with parents

Cassie flashed a huge smile with her mother and 2nd place trophy in HI.

Congratulations to everyone’s hard work this year, coaches are moved deeply to see parents’ efforts for believing in their children, for standing by their side tournament after tournament, It’s also a great pleasure to see every speech team member had grown so much and gained a great deal of confidence by pushing their limits, trying new different things, overcame their fears and doubts.

Helaine Zhao from Irvine campus and father.

Teddy Wang from Irvine campus preparing his notes between rounds.

Melody’s mother, Melody and Ryan, Cassie

Speech and debate competition is not the only way to learn how to express thoughts and ideas, but it is the most effective and meaningful way to let students’ inner voice to be heard, to unbound students’ creativities and it is certainly a gateway to embark a journey that nobody, even the parents can ever imagine.

Proudest coach Mr. Seymour with Anvitha and Cassie.

SCJFL 3rd Quarter Debate Tournament at La Salle High School:

The third league tournament of the school year was held on 2/24 at La Salle High School in Pasadena. Kudos students won trophies in all four debate events. No other school won trophies in more than two debate events.

In public forum debate, three out of the six teams receiving trophies were Kudos teams. Emma Sieh and Christina Xu from the Temple City campus and Alex Fu and Sunny Sun and Ellie Jiang from the Irvine campus were all recognized with winning 4-1 records.
Christina Xu

Christina Xu and Emma Sieh

In Lincoln-Douglas (LD) debate, Christina Feng was the tournament champion—the only debater finishing with a perfect 5-0 record. Maylin Chen also received a trophy for finishing with a winning 4-1 record.

In policy debate, Aaron Lee and Ethan Chang finished in first place.

In congressional debate, Christina Xu finished in third place. Justin Hong and Nicole Xu also reached the final round (top 12).

Aaron Lee CX w/ Ethan 1st
Ethan Chang CX w/ Aaron 1st
Emma Sieh PF w/ Christina Finalist (top 6)
Christina Xu PF w/ Emma Finalist (top 6)
Sunnie Sun PF w/ Ellie Finalist (top 6)
Ellie Jiang PF w/ Sunnie Finalist (top 6)
Alex Fu PF Finalist (top 6)
Christina Feng LD 1st
Maylin Chen LD Finalist (top 6)
Christina Xu Congress 3rd
Justin Hong Congress Finalist (top 12)
Nicole Xu Congress Finalist (top 12)

Trohies

Kudos Judges

第三次中學演講辯論聯盟的演講比賽於2/23號週五，位於Emerson 中學舉行

這次Kudos學生分別在許多項目有所斬獲更紛紛獲獎， 其中更有許多是第一次出賽的學生，雖是抱著觀摩的心情前去，但因課堂上老師奮力的教導， 學生投入的練習與配合， 讓這次比賽的過程既順利又刺激。

在國會辯論這項目， 來自Temple City的Gary Wong 與Robinson Lee在賽前就展現了十足的熱誠與幹勁，不只下課後與老師配合做額外的練習，賽前更是抓緊時間詳讀法案內容，這次比賽兩人以黑馬的姿態闖入決賽，更獲得獎盃鼓勵， 並告訴指導教練以後要下定決心往這條路耕耘，繼續參賽， 最後一起開心的合照。
Gary and Robinson

在雙人雙簧這個超難項目，Temple City有兩隊女子隊伍參賽， 由Kathy Liu 與 Marissa Li 獲得亞軍，Cassie Kao與Emmy Chen則是進入決賽。這次獲獎對Kathy和Marissa 是莫大的鼓勵， 兩位女孩不是第一次搭檔了，私底下不只默契好，上了台更是靈活靈現十分互補，教練很早就看到他們的潛能而時常鼓勵她們可在這個項目多琢磨， 因此在這個多是美國白人選手稱霸的項目裡， Kudos兩位悍將不只打敗眾多隊伍， 最後勇奪亞軍，是相當相當難得的!! 令指導教練Mr. Seymour開心的合不攏嘴。

而Cassie Kao和Emmy Chen雖是第一次合作，但兩人個性十分合拍，因此練習過程十分順暢， 由Cassie 老將的沉穩搭配Emmy新手的衝勁，激盪出新的火花，最後順利晉級，兩位學生的家長均感到相當高興和驕傲。

讓我們恭喜這次獲獎的學生，並鼓勵每位沒得獎的孩子不要氣餒，再接再厲!!

2/17/2018 南加州小學演講辯論聯盟所舉辦的演講辯論比賽，位於San Gabriel的Roosevelt小學舉行，比賽報名人數眾多，有將近200位3~5年級的學生參加，Kudos天普市與爾灣校區的小學進階班學生共29位報名，這次比賽預期可給孩子一次非常好的觀摩與體驗機會。主辦單位表示，上午是即席辯論，下午是即席演講和其他的演講項目，有些學生甚至報名參加兩個，不只準備十分投入，家長更是積極配合老師，在家陪同孩子練習。

在”即席辯論”這個項目裡，共62位學生報名參賽，是報名人數最多的，許多第一次參加比賽的學生不單單打入決賽，更獲得獎盃獎座。
來自天普校區的Nicole Fung 即席辯論獲得第七名，Alan Alexander即席辯論獲得第八名
爾灣校區的Zhian Xu獲得即席辯論第五名，Joy Sun獲得即席辯論第四名， 四人欣喜地抱回獎盃。

“雙人雙簧”這個項目， 由天普校區的Stephanie Jing與 Salvia Sun獲得第二名， Alan Alexander與Ethan Dong獲得第五名 。
賽前這兩組選手不只利用課後時間加緊練習，更把練習的影像錄下來，不斷修正並來回地與教練討論，其認真的程度令教練與家長感到驕傲，最後也如願開心抱回獎盃。

Nicole Fung, Stephanie Jing, Salvia Sun, Ethan Dong and Alan Alexander.

“即席演講”是個難度相當高的項目，因為學生無法事前做準備，每回合開始前才抽題目， 學生只有3分鐘時間做準備， 因此學生若平日沒有練習，很難在這個項目有所斬獲。很開心來自爾灣校區的Victoria Fang，憑著自信大方的談吐與輕鬆自若的態度，加上平日對時事新聞的積累，這次比賽顯得輕鬆有餘，三回合總結以高積分進入決賽，並拿下比賽第五名獎座。

Victoria Fang holding her trophy.

Victoria Fang and Joy Sun holding their shinny trophies.

Mr. Yazel giving encouragements to his class.

Joy Sun

Zhian Xu

Brandon Wu and Isabel Gan during rounds.

Alen Zhang practiced with his classmates.

Alan Alexander and Ethan Dong

“詩詞朗誦”由天普校區的Jessica Xue獲得第八名。

“說故事比賽”也是由天普校區的Yitong Liu獲得第八名。

這真是一個刺激又充滿教育意義的比賽， 相信每位陪同的家長都能感受到比賽緊張的氛圍，但同時也目睹孩子的成長與蛻變，每一回合都是難得的鍛鍊，讓我們恭喜每一位得獎的孩子，而沒進入決賽的同學也不要氣餒，再接再厲，下一個比賽絕對會表現更好的。

Round schedule just released.

Students practice Impromptu between rounds.

The first league tournament of the school year was held this past weekend at East Los Angeles College. Kudos students took home top awards in Lincoln-Douglas and Congressional debate.

In Lincoln-Douglas (LD) debate, Kudos students took four of the ten top places. Aaron Zhang finished in first place and was second speaker. Aaron was the only undefeated debater at the tournament. Aaron Lee finished in third place—one of two debaters with a 5-1 record. Christina Feng finished in fourth place and was third speaker. Ethan Chang finished in tenth place.

In Congress, Kudos students won top 5 places, Selina Ho finished in first place and Justin Lim finished in second place, Emmy Chen took home third place and Justin Hong won fifth place.

Aaron Zhang LD 1st
Aaron Lee LD 3rd
Christina Feng LD 4th
Ethan Chang LD 10th
Aaron Zhang LD 2nd speaker
Christina Feng LD 3rd speaker
Selina Ho Congress 1st
Justin Lim Congress 2nd
Emmy Chen Congress 3rd
Justin Hong Congress 5th

Congratulations!!

2017 December 1st, SCJFL 2nd Speech Tournament, hosted in Walter Reed Middle School

中學演講辯論聯盟的第二次演講比賽, 於2017年12月1號周五晚上舉行
來自13所中學院校報名參加, 共210位學生角逐5個演講項目
Kudos共有10位學生參賽

Open Dramatic-Interp (戲劇演繹) 這個項目由 Emmy Chen 在31人角逐的激戰裡, 以初賽每回合均第一名的佳績打入決賽, 最後獲得大會第三名,
這也是Emmy 第一次在中學演講比賽中獲得前三名的紀錄

Original Oratory 原創演說的部分, 由Kathy Liu 報名參賽, 早在10月初Kathy即與教練展開構思, 不論是題目的命名或內容的撰寫 Kathy 都相當考究, 這算是演講類別中難度較高的範圍, 所有文字撰寫與研究的內容都須由學生一手完成, 教練擔任從旁指導的角色, 很高興Kathy接受了這次挑戰, 嘗試不同的項目並自50多位參賽者中得到第十名, 勇氣可嘉

讓我們恭喜每位獲獎學生, 再接再厲!!