US speech and debate students wrap up great year at Tournament of Champions

Congratulations to the three upper school students who qualified to represent Harker at the National Individual Events Tournament of Champions (NIETOC)! Nikhil Dharmaraj, grade 10, and Nikki Solanki and Avi Gulati, both grade 9, competed at Liberty High School in Kansas City, Mo., May 12-14.

Dharmaraj and Gulati competed in original oratory and Solanki in dramatic interpretation. Qualification was based on excellence at invitational tournaments. Harker is especially proud of Dharmaraj for making it to finals for the second year in a row. He ultimately placed fifth in the nation.

Coach Marjorie Hazeltine said, “The NIETOC brought out the best in our students. In the opening ceremony, the president of the organization encouraged the students to find ‘the why behind their what,’ or the reason why they are doing this activity and presenting their speeches. All three Harker students embodied this idea, speaking with conviction and heart.” Gulati noted that the NIETOC left him “encouraged, motivated and inspired.”