The Ward Melville High School Debate Team scored big at the New York State Forensic League’s State Championship Tournament at Bronx High School of Science and Scarsdale High School the weekend of April 29. All of Ward Melville’s competitors made it to the elimination rounds of the tournament.

Notably, junior Anna Potekhin won all three elimination rounds in Intermediate Lincoln Douglas Debate. She argued both sides of the resolution, “The justices of the Supreme Court of the United States ought to be term-limited.” After advancing to the final round, Anna won second place.

Additionally, sophomore Keifer Stroff and Gelinas Junior High School ninth grader Olivia Miller secured medals as double octo finalists in Public Forum Debate after five rounds of qualifiers. The duo argued both sides of the resolution, “The United States Federal Government should ban the collection of personal data through biometric recognition technology.”

"These end-of-season accomplishments are, without a doubt, due to the diligence and hard work on the part of each of these exceptional WMHS Debate Team students,” team adviser Cynthia Porter said. “The 2022-23 season has been a learning curve of local of wins and losses. The students pooled all of their learning and determination at the state championship. I am so very proud to work with such a dedicated team.”

The team extends a special thanks to Ms. Lisa Crispino for her tireless efforts as traveling team judge at the 2022-23 season's competition venues and state championship.

Date Added: 5/17/2023