HRA’s forensics team and alumni judges celebrate after a triumphant final TFL meet of the 2025-2026 school year
Hampton Roads Academy extends its congratulations to thirteen Upper School students who all finished in the top ten in their respective categories at the final regular-season Tidewater Forensics League competition in Norfolk the evening of Thursday, January 15. The students’ exceptional performance earned HRA Forensics the second-place team trophy.
HRA’s talented speech performers distinguished themselves among more than 180 competitors from 20 schools throughout the region. Top honors went to:
- Samara King ’26 – 10th place in humorous interpretation
- Elyse Lubbers ’29 and Michael Morrison ’29 – 10th place in duo humorous interpretation
- Logan Jones ’28 – 9th place in original oratory
- Jillian Lassiter ’28 – 8th place in storytelling
- Will Loos ’26 and Aaron Carlson ’27 – 8th place in duo humorous interpretation
- Mireya King ’28 – 6th place in dramatic interpretation
- Zack Patten ’26 – 5th place in impromptu
- Luke James ’26 – 2nd place in poetry interpretation
- Percy Bevilacqua ’26 and Portia Tyler ’28 – 1st place in in duo dramatic interpretation
- Ryan Wartell ’27 – 1st place in prose interpretation
James and Wartell set themselves apart in especially competitive categories. Poetry interpretation was the largest event at the meet, with a field of 25 competitors, followed closely by prose interpretation, with 24.
HRA was also well-represented among the judges at the competition, with five young alumni joining forensics team faculty sponsor and Upper School math teacher Farica Erwin and Director of Theatre Kate Goddin on the other side of the table. Recent graduates Chelsea Erwin ’23, Beth Goddin ’23, Reece David ’25, CJ Erwin ’25, and Charlotte Goddin ’25 had a front-row seat for their fellow Navigators’ triumph.
“I am so proud of these kids and the progress they have made since October,” Erwin said. “These kids are amazing!”
