By Saif Salim ’20

November has been an exciting month for Heritage Hall’s academic and athletic teams. Among the highlights: national signing day celebrations, stellar debate tournament runs, a podium finish for Academic Bowl, and a first round victory in the OSSAA football playoffs.

Debate began the month with a successful showing at the Moore Lions Classic. In the varsity policy division, the senior team of Alex Nguyen and Collin Smith won the tournament with a perfect 5-0 record; juniors Joyce Hua and Kaylie Kerr finished fifth. Freshman Bardia Ghoreyan and sophomore Peter Boggs debated their way to the novice policy division semis. At Edmond Santa Fe, Heritage Hall closed out the final of the 6A varsity policy division with the two-person team of senior Saif Salim and junior Sam Ring, and the three-person team of juniors Jasmyne Le, Joyce Hua, and Krish Patel serving as co-champions. Also at Edmond, Le was awarded first place speaker and all of the debaters earned a bid to the regional championships in March.

On Saturday, November 16, nine students left early in the morning for Little Axe, OK to compete in the Academic Bowl district tournament and area qualifier. Although the team got off to a rocky start, the Chargers fought their way to a third place finish to qualify for the next level of competition.

National signing day saw four seniors sign letters of intent – congratulations to Heidi Cook, Boston University, rowing; Lale Edil, University of Oklahoma, rowing; Ben Thionett, Oklahoma City University, golf; and Madison Parduhn, Auburn University, equestrianism. 

Also in athletics, to the delight of football fans, the Chargers kicked off postseason play with a resounding 42-0 victory over the Purcell Dragons in the first round of the state playoffs. 

Charger Pride!