NHS Debate Team Achieving Success

After much preparation and a trip on January 20 and 21 to participate in a major tournament at Columbia University, the Newtown High School Debate Team performed at its best level to date. The heavily competitive tournament resulted in every member of the team winning at least half of his/her rounds, a feat that seemed impossible only two months ago when the team entered the national circuit for the first time at the Princeton University Invitational.

The Debate Team formed last year under the direction of NHS social studies teacher Larry Saladin and has made huge strides in the second year by participating in rigorous tournaments drawing competitors from across the nation.

The group meets every day after school for two hours of intense practice in preparation for upcoming competitions, much in the same way a sports team meets. In addition, several members of the high school team travel to the middle school on a weekly basis to mentor younger students.

Typically students compete in heats and win their way into the quarter finals known as octos rounds. Team captain Gavin Newton-Tanzer won his way into the coveted octos round in the varsity division, along with Akshay Agashe, who accomplished the same at the junior varsity level, causing Connecticut to be recognized at a national level for the first time in several years.

Coach Larry Saladin was enthused and amazed by the overall team score of 20 rounds to 15, and eagerly expressed his desire for the team to continue participating in major tournaments such as the upcoming competition at Harvard. The Harvard competition is the largest debate and speech tournament in the nation, drawing 10,000 participants from throughout the country.