MAHONING VALLEY 4 students finish in Top 10 at national speech contest

Preparation is important in any level of competition, a coach said.
By ROB MEYER
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Four Valley students finished in the Top 10 at the 2003 National Forensic League National Speech and Debate Tournament.
Matt Hernan and Sean Philibin, 2003 graduates of Cardinal Mooney High School, placed fifth in duo interpretation June 15-20 at the tournament sponsored by the Atlanta State University.
The two performed a selection titled "Inside Al," the story of a young man's bitter struggle with cerebral palsy and his need to communicate his internal strengths and feelings.
Hernan and Philibin competed against 206 students in their division. They competed in 13 rounds of competition and placed second overall in the final round. But the final score is cumulative over the entire 13 rounds.
"It's not easy to compete at the nation level," said Diane Mastro Nard, the duo's coach. "You have to have talent and a lot of luck. To get to the nationals, you have to peak three times. Once in February, once in the state competition in March and again in June."
Hernan said he was just happy to be at the national tournament. "I would have liked to have done better, but it was a lot of fun," he said.
Mastro Nard said one of the more important factors in finding success at any level of speech and debate is preparation.
"Figuring out when to practice -- and when not to practice too much -- are two important things," she said. "Changing minor things such as mannerisms is sometimes necessary."
Philibin will attend Point Park College in Pittsburgh and is hoping to work in musical theater. Hernan plans to move to New York in the fall to pursue a career in acting.
Other winners
Amy Reynallt, a 2003 graduate of Austintown Fitch High School, was a national semifinalist after she placed ninth in the domestic extemporaneous speaking contest. She will be attending Ohio State University in the fall to major in political science. She was coached by Heather Carcelli and John Mazzuco.
Josh Murphy, a 2003 graduate of Boardman High School, placed 10th in humorous interpretation with a selection titled "Jump off the Cliff Notes."
He will also be attending Ohio State and will major in visual communications and film. He was coached by Eric Simione, a teacher at Boardman High School.