Greenwood Debate has had a busy summer and finished the 2025-2026 season strong at two national competitions.
The team attended the NCFL Grand National Tournament in Washington, D.C. over Memorial Day weekend. The policy debate teams of Tristan Khoshyomn/Ethan Duff and Gyan Grewal/Laila Ozturk both finished in the top 32 in the nation! Also, Connor Manzardo advanced to the octofinals (top 48 in nation) in Extemporaneous Speaking.
The team also competed at the National Speech and Debate Association National Tournament in Richmond, Virginia. Over 7,700 entries competed in the tournament from over 1,200 schools across the United States. Laila Ozturk advanced to the top 60 in Informative Speaking! Laila also advanced to the elimination rounds in Extemporaneous Debate, as did Taaha Khan and Ethan Duff. Ethan Duff ultimately finished tied for 43rd in the nation in Extemporaneous Debate, out of over 1100 competitors. Laila Ozturk and Mohan Grewal also earned Academic All-American Honors during this season. Additionally, Tristan Khoshyomn was recognized as one of only 186 students in the country who qualified for the NSDA National Tournament four times during their high school careers. Tristan also ended his speech and debate career ranked 10th in the nation and 1st in the state of Missouri in NSDA honor points. The NSDA supports more than 140,000 active student members each year – so a top 10 national ranking is quite the accomplishment.
Three Greenwood seniors Ethan Duff, Gyan Grewal, and Tristan Khoshyomn finished their four-year high school careers this summer at nationals. The team is beyond grateful to these students and so proud of each of them for all their accomplishments. They were fantastic role models and have left an amazing legacy.
Now, on to 2026-2027!
The team attended the NCFL Grand National Tournament in Washington, D.C. over Memorial Day weekend. The policy debate teams of Tristan Khoshyomn/Ethan Duff and Gyan Grewal/Laila Ozturk both finished in the top 32 in the nation! Also, Connor Manzardo advanced to the octofinals (top 48 in nation) in Extemporaneous Speaking.
The team also competed at the National Speech and Debate Association National Tournament in Richmond, Virginia. Over 7,700 entries competed in the tournament from over 1,200 schools across the United States. Laila Ozturk advanced to the top 60 in Informative Speaking! Laila also advanced to the elimination rounds in Extemporaneous Debate, as did Taaha Khan and Ethan Duff. Ethan Duff ultimately finished tied for 43rd in the nation in Extemporaneous Debate, out of over 1100 competitors. Laila Ozturk and Mohan Grewal also earned Academic All-American Honors during this season. Additionally, Tristan Khoshyomn was recognized as one of only 186 students in the country who qualified for the NSDA National Tournament four times during their high school careers. Tristan also ended his speech and debate career ranked 10th in the nation and 1st in the state of Missouri in NSDA honor points. The NSDA supports more than 140,000 active student members each year – so a top 10 national ranking is quite the accomplishment.
Three Greenwood seniors Ethan Duff, Gyan Grewal, and Tristan Khoshyomn finished their four-year high school careers this summer at nationals. The team is beyond grateful to these students and so proud of each of them for all their accomplishments. They were fantastic role models and have left an amazing legacy.
Now, on to 2026-2027!
Let's Go Jays!
Book Drive
Awesome representation from our RYLA reps! Thank you to our Rotary Club of Springfield for sponsoring these students!
Our new Cross Country coach is getting athletes in shape!
From Coach McDonald:
With summer in full force, If you are looking for a way to get a leg up in preparation for fall sports come and join us in summer training. We meet outside the science wing door at 7am, working out by 7:10 finish by 8:30. Meeting dates include July 7, 9, 10, 13, 15, 16, 20, 21, and 23.
All middle and high school athletes are welcome to attend.
From Coach McDonald:
With summer in full force, If you are looking for a way to get a leg up in preparation for fall sports come and join us in summer training. We meet outside the science wing door at 7am, working out by 7:10 finish by 8:30. Meeting dates include July 7, 9, 10, 13, 15, 16, 20, 21, and 23.
All middle and high school athletes are welcome to attend.
Way to go Stassi, Hannah, and Camryn!
Mrs. Fearing's Outdoor Adventure Club!
Students are having a phenomenal trip in Europe! Rome, Capri, Sorrento - just to name a couple of the days!
Florence, Italy! What a day! So fun.
Enjoying France!
Off to Europe!
Way to go, Maren Altrup! She competed at the Geography Nationals this week in Orlando.
She competed in 4 different events:
National Geography Photo Quiz: 21st
National American Geography Exam: 28th
National World Geography Exam: 33rd
U.S. Geography Bee: 46th (tied)
Way to represent on the national level! We are proud of you, Maren!
She competed in 4 different events:
National Geography Photo Quiz: 21st
National American Geography Exam: 28th
National World Geography Exam: 33rd
U.S. Geography Bee: 46th (tied)
Way to represent on the national level! We are proud of you, Maren!
We’re proud to share that Greenwood student Maren Altrup had an outstanding experience competing at Geography Bee Nationals this week in Orlando!
Competing in the 6th Grade Division, Maren participated in four national geography events and represented Greenwood incredibly well:
• National Geography Photo Quiz — 21st
• National American Geography Exam — 28th
• National World Geography Exam — 33rd
• U.S. Geography Bee — Tied for 46th
Congratulations to Maren on an impressive week of competition and learning. We are excited to see what she accomplishes next year!
Competing in the 6th Grade Division, Maren participated in four national geography events and represented Greenwood incredibly well:
• National Geography Photo Quiz — 21st
• National American Geography Exam — 28th
• National World Geography Exam — 33rd
• U.S. Geography Bee — Tied for 46th
Congratulations to Maren on an impressive week of competition and learning. We are excited to see what she accomplishes next year!
Great job to our coaches and Boys Golf at State! Linken Pinegar got 18th and Luke Seagrave got 22nd and they were 3rd and 4th top freshman! Way to represent!
GREAT JOB BOYS TENNIS AT STATE!
Archer Anbari and Alex Holden got fourth!
Han Seo got second!
Archer Anbari and Alex Holden got fourth!
Han Seo got second!
Good luck to Andrew Davis at Sectional Track tomorrow!!! Go Andrew!
Good luck at STATE Boys Tennis! Go Han, Archer, and Alex!
Greenwood Speech and Debate attended the National Individual Events Tournament of Champions (NIETOC) tournament last weekend in Shakopee, Minnesota. The students qualified for the competition based on outstanding performances at several tournaments during our regular season. The tournament featured competitors from over 200 top schools across the country. Greenwood placed 15th overall in our division at the national level!
We also had several incredible individual accomplishments:
Laila Ozturk – Top 30 in International Extemp, Top 60 in Informative Speaking
Tristan Khoshyomn – Top 30 in International Extemp
Gyan Grewal – Top 48 in International Extemp
Connor Manzardo – Top 60 in US Extemp
Ilyaan Khan – Top 60 in US Extemp
Salma Kaina – Top 30 in Poetry
Mohan Grewal and Taaha Khan also represented Greenwood against fierce competition in Original Oratory, Prose, and Impromptu Speaking. We were also excited that two Greenwood Debate alums, Mary Gabriel and Minal Khan were able came back to judge, coach, and support the team during the weekend.
Next up we will be traveling to the NCFL Grand National Tournament in Washington, D.C. on Memorial Day weekend.
So proud of these Blue Jays!
We also had several incredible individual accomplishments:
Laila Ozturk – Top 30 in International Extemp, Top 60 in Informative Speaking
Tristan Khoshyomn – Top 30 in International Extemp
Gyan Grewal – Top 48 in International Extemp
Connor Manzardo – Top 60 in US Extemp
Ilyaan Khan – Top 60 in US Extemp
Salma Kaina – Top 30 in Poetry
Mohan Grewal and Taaha Khan also represented Greenwood against fierce competition in Original Oratory, Prose, and Impromptu Speaking. We were also excited that two Greenwood Debate alums, Mary Gabriel and Minal Khan were able came back to judge, coach, and support the team during the weekend.
Next up we will be traveling to the NCFL Grand National Tournament in Washington, D.C. on Memorial Day weekend.
So proud of these Blue Jays!
First Grade Helpful Hedgehogs finished science by creating Crystal Hedgehogs.
Dr. McKay and Lucy, third grader, shared earlier about how crystals are formed when they presented to our class.
This was a fun activity to end first grade science lab.
Dr. McKay and Lucy, third grader, shared earlier about how crystals are formed when they presented to our class.
This was a fun activity to end first grade science lab.
First Grade students created simple machines using an electric toothbrush, pool noodle, rubber bands, and markers. The students had to figure out how to use the supplies to create a work of art. The effect is like a spirograph. Fun in First💙
