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ODA Shines at State Spanish Language Competition

This year, ODA’s Modern Languages Department sent a team of 16 students to compete in the annual Florida State Spanish Conference in Orlando, Florida. ODA’s largest team ever finished the competition in second place, missing the top prize in their division by just a few points. Many students received top honors to contribute to this strong finish including Nina Giraldo 21’, Arya Bulusu 20', Kate Crump 20’, and Adelaide Mahler 19’ who each earned perfect scores!
Approximately 900 students representing more than 50 Florida public, private, and independent high schools participated in this year’s event. ODA competed in a number of events including Impromptu Speaking, Declamation, and Dramatic presentation.

ODA students who participated in the non-native speakers category achieved the following impressive results:

Level 2:
  • Sam Cohen ‘22 earned second place in Impromptu Speaking and first place in Declamation, reciting “Oda al libro,” by the Chilean poet Pablo Neruda.
  • Nedim Faqqouseh ‘22 scored first place in Impromptu Speaking.
  • Connor Lea ‘22 earned second place in Impromptu Speaking.

Level 3:
  • Kaylen Rivers ‘21 scored first place in Impromptu Speaking. Kaylen also earned first place in Declamation, reciting “Me gritaron negra” by the Peruvian poet Victoria Santa Cruz.
  • Andrew Chiritescu ‘21 scored first place in Impromptu Speaking as well.

Level 4:
  • Maria Miller ‘19 earned first place in Impromptu Speaking.
  • Kate Crump ‘20 earned first place in Declamation with a perfect score and second place in Impromptu Speaking. She recited “Paren de matarnos” by Miss Bolivia, a singer and composer from Argentina whose compositions are characterised by strong content in the quest for social justice.
  • Abby Eakle ‘20 earned second place in Impromptu Speaking.
  • Daniel Fernandez ‘20 earned second place in Impromptu Speaking.
  • Bella Fiorucci ‘20 placed first in Declamation and second in Impromptu Speaking. Bella recited Jhoana Patiño’s poem, “No era yo el problema.” Through her poetry, the Colombian poet denounces violence against women.

Level 5:
  • Arya Bulusu ‘20 earned first place in Declamation and first place in Impromptu Speaking with a perfect score. Arya recited the poem “A Julia de Burgos,” by the Puerto Rican poet Julia de Burgos.
  • Adelaide Mahler ‘19 scored first place in Impromptu Speaking with a perfect score.

Students who participated in the native speakers category achieved the following impressive results:

Level 3:
  • Ximena Barrales ‘21 scored first place in Impromptu Speaking.
  • Nina Giraldo ‘21, scored first place and received a perfect score in Impromptu Speaking and first place in Declamation. Nina recited “La Sonatina” by the Nicaraguan poet Rubén Darío.

Level 5:
  • Chenelle Lauver ‘20 earned first place in Impromptu Speaking.
  • Luke Lozano ‘20 also received first place in Impromptu Speaking.

In addition, eleven of our delegates participated in the Dramatic Presentation Competition. The team achieved a perfect score in the theatrical production of: “La chama y la bestia” taking first place in the event. The play is a parody of the well known story, “Beauty and the Beast,” however, it was updated and replete with Hispanic heritage elements. The excellence and perseverance of our theater group’s writing, editing, and daily rehearsals clearly paid off.

Out-of-Door’s Spanish teachers, Ms. Margarita Dooley, Mr. Marc Roberts, and Ms. Daniela Rozanes están muy orgullosos del desempeño de sus estudiantes.
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