VAYA Online INTERNATIONAL
SPEECH ARTS + DRAMA FESTIVAL
Adjudicators

	Harrison Mooney, Vancouver, CA (Creative Writing) Harrison Mooney is a best-selling memoirist and award-winning journalist from the Fraser Valley. His debut memoir, Invisible Boy, was the winner of the 2023 Rakuten Kobo Emerging Writer Prize for nonfiction and shortlisted for the Governor General's Literary Award and the Hurston Wright Legacy Award in memoir nonfiction. Harrison's work has appeared in the Vancouver Sun, the Guardian, Maclean's and the Tyee, among other outlets. He lives in East Vancouver with his family.
	Eileen Fitzgerald, Ennis, Ireland (Junior Speech Arts & Drama – ages 11-13) Eileen Fitzgerald A.I.B.S.D., L.T.C.L runs a busy Speech and Drama school in the West of Ireland, which celebrates 33 years in business in 2025. All aspects of Speech & Drama are taught in the school. Eileen studied with Trinity College London attaining a Licentiate Teachers Diploma. She has an Associate Diploma with the Irish Board of Speech & Drama. Her teaching and working life embraces a wide range of Drama disciplines and activities. She is an experienced Drama Teacher, and Adjudicator of Speech and Drama Festivals throughout the island of Ireland and Hong Kong. In 1995 Eileen was appointed a senior Drama Examiner with the Irish Board of Speech & Drama. She has over 25 years’ experience adjudicating Festivals and is a facilitator for a number of Acting Companies. Eileen has also produced, directed and acted in numerous productions. From 1999 to 2012 Eileen worked with the Schools Competition Programme as funded by the Irish Government, carrying out pioneering work with students from disadvantaged backgrounds, aged 5 to 15 years in the field of drama. Former President of Feile Luimnigh, the largest performance festival of its kind in the West of Ireland, Eileen (together with her team) were responsible for organising the Instrumental, Vocal, Speech & Drama and the Irish language section. From 2011- 2019 Eileen had also been running the Cratloe Speechfest in her area for children aged 5-12 years. Over her 30 plus years of work in the field of Speech and Drama, Eileen feels fortunate to have met, and continues to be inspired by, so many young people who share her passion for the world of drama.
	Becky Richards, Calgary, CA (Junior Speech Arts – Ages 10 and Under) Becky Richards grew up in the Speech Arts and Drama program at Calgary’s Mount Royal University Conservatory and began teaching upon completion of her teaching diploma. She also has a Bachelor of Education Degree from the University of Calgary with a major in Music Education. She has been a faculty member of Mount Royal University Conservatory since 1992. Becky has many years of experience in teaching all ages of children in a private studio at Mount Royal University. She has adjudicated Speech Festival competitions throughout Canada. She started teaching group classes in her first year of teaching and has continued ever since. Group classes have been a specific interest and focus for her. She has taught Speech Arts and Creative Drama group classes to children ages 3 to 13 year olds.
	Arlene Irwin, Calgary, CA (Intermediate & Senior Speech Arts) Arlene brings more than 40 years of stage experience to her role as Speech Arts & Drama Instructor on the teaching faculty at Mount Royal University Conservatory. A native of Northern Ireland, she has been studying Speech Arts and Drama since the age of 14. Throughout the years, not only has she won numerous speech and drama awards, but also continues to be an active theatre performer. Arlene’s most recent roles were as “Mother Superior” in Storybook Theatre’s musical production of “Sister Act” and in 2022, the role of “Irene Ruddock” in Alan Bennett’s “A Lady of Letters” for which she received the award of outstanding performer at the Calgary One Act Festival. Arlene holds the ATCL and LTCL accreditations through Trinity College London UK as well as the RCM, ARCT Teacher’s designation. She is also an RCM registered teacher, primary – advanced level. Although teaching full time at the Conservatory, Arlene operates a small private studio and has adjudicated at numerous Speech Arts Festivals including The Kelowna Kiwanis, Medicine Hat, Lethbridge, Penticton and Edmonton. She also teaches communication skills to a number of international students. Arlene has also had the pleasure of working with Autism Calgary and the Autism/Asperger's Friendship Society teaching drama and social skills to a variety of enthusiastic students on the Autism spectrum. Arlene is thrilled to be adjudicating at the VAYA International Speech Arts and Drama Festival and looks forward to enjoying the work of the talented students!