EGHS Debaters Compete and Win at State Championship Tournament!

EGHS Debaters Compete and Win at State Championship Tournament!

By Suraj Sait, Debate Club President

On February 29th, four EGHS debaters braved both the cold and their opponents in the final Rhode Island Forensics League Tournament of the year. As always, competition was intense. But being the championship tournament, only those who qualified during the regular season were eligible to compete. To qualify, debaters had to receive a certificate or trophy during the regular season.

Thirteen EGHS debaters qualified for the tournament, with three qualifying in the varsity division and ten in novice. However, only four (Morgan Walsh, Brianna Knight, Evie Clement, and Saloni Jain) were able to attend. Hustling between the walkways of Roger Williams’ Bristol Campus, they duked it out against some of Rhode Island’s premier schools, such as Barrington, Wheeler, Classical, and Cumberland.

At the end of the day, Morgan Walsh and Brianna were recognized as the 4th Place Novice Team.

Congratulations to all debaters who attended the state tournament, and to all those that were a part of the team this year! A heartfelt thank you also goes out to my father, Mr. Sait, who volunteered as a judge that day, to all of the judges who generously volunteered this season, to the Rhode Island Forensics League for sponsoring the tournaments, and especially to Mr. DeCubellis, who has graciously advised the team all season. All of you truly made this memorable season possible.

EGHS Debaters Notch Several Victories (Again!) at RIFL Debate Tournament

EGHS Debaters Notch Several Victories (Again!) at RIFL Debate Tournament

by Sunny Sait, Debate Club president

With twenty-one members of the EGHS Debate Club's debate team competing at Mt. Hope High School this past Saturday, the day marked yet another round of triumphs for this once-defunct club.

Forty-five teams in both the novice and varsity divisions ensured the competition was, in a word, fierce. Both public, private, and charter schools participated in the competition, which lasted three rounds of parliamentary-style debate. Many EGHS Debaters, including debaters for whom this was their first tournament, were recognized with certificates and awards:

Evie Clement, 18th Place Individual, Novice Division

Gabriella Giuliano, 11th Place Individual, Novice Division

Saloni Jain and Gabriella Giuliano, 10th Place Team, Novice Division

Morgan Walsh and Brianna Knight, 4th Place Team, Novice Division

Suraj Sait, 6th Place Individual, Varsity Division

Jack Holmgren, 4th Place Individual, Varsity Division

Jack Holmgren and Oscar Clement, 4th Place Team, Varsity Division

The club would not have enjoyed this success without six EGHS parents and relatives volunteering as judges. A hearty “Thank You” goes out to Mr. DiTraglia, father of Ella DiTraglia; Mrs. Ward, mother of Kian Bijari; Mr. and Mrs. Sullivan, the parents of Riley Sullivan; Mr. Sait, the father of Suraj Sait; and Jacob Beaulieu’s charming grandmother.

The team plans to attend its next Rhode Island Forensics League (RIFL) tournament on February 1st at Foxboro Regional Charter School. If YOU are an EG parent interested in volunteering to judge on that Saturday, please contact Mr. DeCubellis (gdecubellis@egsd.net) for more information. Each team is required to bring along at least one parent-judge per four student-debaters, so your consideration is much appreciated. It's a long day, but it's a lot of fun!

Congrats to all debaters! And thank you again, parents and relatives, for your support.