#middleschooldebate

What a month! We had students competing in 6 national circuit tournaments, including Brown University, Peach State Classic, SVUDL, Villiger, Groves Falcon, and US Forensics Olympiad. We also hosted our own intramural! Here are our awards! Go team!

Brown University:

High School Varsity: 

   ⭐ Quarterfinalist: Jerry S. & Cleo C.

November Potomac Intramural:

Elementary School Novice:

  🏆Champion: Shulin V. & Xavier H.

  ⭐ Finalist: Jenna Y. & Melissa S.

Elementary School Open:

  🏆Champion: Jayden L. & Kamya B.

  ⭐ Finalist: Anaya D. & Ayman I.

Speaker Awards

📣1st: Kamya B.

📣2nd: Aarav S.

📣3rd: Lara V.

📣4th: Ariyan P.

Middle School Novice:

  🏆Champion: Manisha B. & Sanaa R.

  ⭐ Finalist: Pranav K. & Neha P.

Speaker Awards

📣1st: Sahaj P.

📣2nd: Elaina W.

📣3rd: Eera A.

📣4th: Neha P.

Middle School JV:

  🏆Champion: Veena Y. & Diya C.

  ⭐ Finalist: Alice Z. & Richard M.

Speaker Awards

📣1st: Kavya S.

📣2nd: James B.

📣3rd: Tanisi S. 

📣4th: Kavin L.

Middle School Open:

  🏆Champion: Anay K. & Rohan K.

  ⭐ Finalist: Darshan C. & Abhay H.

High School JV:

  🏆Champion: Aadi D. & Tasneema S.

  ⭐ Finalist: Toyin O. & Jude H.

Speaker Awards

📣1st: Harshiv S.

📣2nd: Jude H.

📣3rd: Rashi P.

📣4th: Roshan G.

High School Open:

   🏆Champion: Ava D. & Benjamin B. & Ronav G.

   ⭐ Finalist: Peter Z. & Rohan R.

Speaker Awards

📣1st: Nikhil P.

📣2nd: Ava D.

📣3rd: Rohan R.

📣4th: Preeti G.

Public Speaking:

   🏆1st: Sneha P.

  ⭐ 2nd: Shreya D.

  ⭐ 3rd: Deetya G.

  ⭐ 4th: Kamran S.

Peach State Classic:

High School Varsity: 

   ⭐Octafinalist: Aaron T. & Isabel T. 

   ⭐Double Octafinaist: Sherry L. & Leon W.  

Groves Falcon:

Middle School Varsity: 

   🏆Champion: Grace L. & Julianna S. 

   🏆Finalist: Samarth S. & Kathy F. 

   ⭐Semifinalist: Ameya B. & Aniruddh D. 

   ⭐Quarterfinalist: Daven K. & Arshia R. 

Speaker Awards

📣1st: Ameya B.

📣4th: Grace L.

📣5th: Daven K.

📣6th: Julianna S.

📣10th: Samarth Singh

John Lewis SVUDL: 

High School Varsity: 

   ⭐ Double Octafinalist: Zayd P. & Preston L. 

Speaker Awards

📣12th: Zayd P.

📣15th: Preston L. 

Villiger:

High School Varsity: 

   ⭐Quarterfinalist: Sherry L. & Leon W. (receiving a SILVER bid to the TOC!) 

   ⭐ Octafinalist: Roselyn B. & Tiffany T., Aaron T. & Isabel T. 

Speaker Awards

📣4th: Leon W.

📣6th: Sherry L. 

USA Forensics Olympiad (Nov):

High School Varsity: 

   🏆Champion: Prisha Y. & Nehal T. 

   ⭐ Semifinalist: Daniela A. & Mira K. 

   ⭐ Quarterfinalist: Yusuf G. & Urja S., Anya K. & Apollin L., Christine Z. & Vivian C.

Speaker Awards

📣3rd: Christine Z. 

📣5th: Apollin L. 

Middle School Varsity: 

   🏆Champion: Kaylynn Y. & Rebecca L. 

   🏆Finalist: Rainger Y. & Kathy F. 

   ⭐Semifinalist: Leo F. & Grace L. 

   ⭐ Quarterfinalist: Iris A. & Ethan C., Gabriel S. & William Y., Gregory S. & Aarnna K., Malavika V. & Lavinia U.

Speaker Awards

📣1st: Kaylynn Y.

📣2nd: Rebecca L. 

📣3rd: Ethan C.

📣4th: Rainger Y. 

This past month, our middle and high school students competed at Georgetown, Cal State, Harvard International Council, October Potomac Intramural, USA Forensics Olympiad, University of Michigan, Tim Averill, and the in-person Bronx tournament in New York City!

That being said, we would like to recognize the following individuals for their achievements:

Georgetown Fall Tournament: 

  High School Varsity 

   ⭐Octafinalist: Zayd P. & Preston L.

   ⭐Double Octafinalist: Lucas K. & James C. and Cady W. & Natalie Z. 

  Speaker Awards 

   📣10th: Preston L. 

  Middle School Varsity 

   ⭐Semifinalist: Adelina E. & Neha N. 

   ⭐Octafinalist: Veer P. & Anthony L. 

  Speaker Awards

   📣7th: Veer P. 

   📣9th: Anthony L. 

NYC Invitational Debate & Speech Tournament (Bronx): 

  High School Varsity 

   ⭐Sextos: Carson D. & Dillon M. 

Cal State Fullerton:

  High School Varsity

   🏆 Finalist: Katherine X. & Grace L. (receiving a gold bid to the TOC!!)

   ⭐Quarterfinalist: Sanvi K. & Sahasra G. and Anna J. & Charles L.

   ⭐ Octafinalist: Alisha D. & Ethan M. 

   ⭐ Double Octafinalist: Cady W. & Natalie Z. and Edwin C. & Alex K. 

  Middle School Varsity

   🏆 Finalist: Veer P. & Anthony L. 

   ⭐ Octafinalist: Daven M. & Jonah K. 

  Speaker Awards

   📣3rd: Veer P. 

   📣7th: Anthony L. 

   📣10th: Jonah K. 

Harvard Debate Council International Tournaments:

  High School Varsity

   🏆 Champions: Katherine X. & Grace L.

   ⭐ Quarterfinalist: Rishik S. & Alex Y.

  Speaker Awards

   📣1st: Katherine X.

   📣2nd: Grace L.

   📣9th: Rishik S. 

  Middle School Varsity

    ⭐ Octafinalist: Grace L. & Leo F.  

October 2023 Potomac Intramural

MSV/HSO

   🏆 Co-Champions: Arshia R. & Preeti G. and Rohan K. & Anay K.

   ⭐ Finalist: Mahitha K. & Sky J. and Nima R. & Raj A.

  Speaker Awards

   📣1st: William Y.

   📣2nd: Sky J.

   📣3rd: Nima R.  

   📣4th: Arshia R.  

MSJV/HSN

   🏆 Co-Champions: Peishi Y. & Aarush M. and Daven M. & Gregory S.

   ⭐ Finalist: Larry F. & Amy Y. and Diya C. & Veena Y.

  Speaker Awards

   📣1st: Gregory S. 

   📣2nd: Peishi Y.

   📣3rd: Diya C.  

   📣4th: James B.  

ESN1/MSN1

   🏆 Champions: Rishabh V. & Sujeev S.

   ⭐ Finalist: Avik D. & Pranav K.

  Speaker Awards

   📣1st: Sidharta D. 

   📣2nd: Shriya W. 

   📣3rd: Sujeev S.   

   📣4th: Sanaa V.   

ESJV/MSN2

   🏆 Co-Champions: Mishka C. & Umar B. and Saisahasra A. & Rishaan K.

  ⭐ Finalist: Daksh S. & Remy S. and Andy Z. & Justin L.

  Speaker Awards

   📣1st: Justin L.

   📣2nd: Andy Z. 

   📣3rd: Remy S.   

   📣4th: Umar B.   

Public Speaking

  🏆 1st: Seven L.

  ⭐ 2nd: Deetya G.

  ⭐ 3rd: Pratham S.

  ⭐ 4th: Kyle W.

USA Forensics Olympiad (Oct):

 Open

   🏆 Finalists: Emi M. & James L.

   ⭐ Semifinalist: Ryna C. & Neha N., Veda D. & Ava Y.

   ⭐ Quarterfinalist: Anna W. & Kristine Q., Darshan C. & Abhay H., and Pia P. & Sarvesh S.

  Speaker Awards

   📣2nd: Emi M..

   📣3rd: Sarvesh S. 

   📣8th: Darshan C. 

   📣9th: Neha N.

   📣10th: Kristine Q. 

University of Michigan:

High School Varsity: 

   ⭐ Quarterfinalist: Preston L. & Ishan P.

   ⭐ Double-Octofinalist: Aaron T. & Isabel T.

Speaker Awards

📣2nd: Preston L.

📣7th: Ishan P. 

High School Novice: 

   ⭐ Octofinalist: Grace L. & Samarth S.  

Speaker Awards

📣7th: Anthony L.

📣10th: Veer P.

Tim Averill:

 High School Varsity: 

   🏆 Champions: Katherine X. & Grace L. (receiving a gold bid to the TOC!!)

   ⭐ Octofinalist: Paul W. & Ethan M.

  Speaker Awards

   📣9th: Paul W.

This past month, our middle and high school students competed at the online Mid America Cup, Marist Ivy Street Invitational, and Yale Invitational, as well as in-person at UK Season Opener in Kentucky and Georgetown Day School in DC!

Without further ado, here are the results:

UK Season Opener 

High School Varsity (In-Person)

⭐Double Octafinalists: Preston L. & Zayd P., Sherry L. & Leon W. 

High School Varsity (Online)

⭐Double Octafinalists: Alisha D. & Ethan M.

⭐Triple Octafinalists: Zander D. & Kamran S., Christopher T. & Zach L. 

Middle School Varsity (Online)

⭐Champions: Veer P. & Anthony L. 

Speaker Awards

📣3rd: Veer Parmar

📣7th: Rainger Yu

Mid America Cup

High School Varsity

⭐Double Octafinalists: Noor M. & Ishan P., Ethan M. & Alisha D. 

Georgetown Day School

High School Varsity

⭐Finals: Aaron Z. & Colin Z. 

⭐Quarterfinals: Nikhil P. & Sarina V., Eshaan S. & Jeff H., Ishan P. & Noor M.

Speaker Awards (out of 52):

📣5th: Aaron Zacharia

📣6th: Noor Mahmoud

📣7th: Ishan Puri

📣8th: Colin Zhang

📣10th: Sarina Virmani

Marist Ivy Street

High School Varsity

⭐Semifinals: Lucas K. & Zayn B. 

Speaker Awards

📣4th: Zayn Bandukwalla

Middle School Varsity

⭐Co-Champions: Veer. P & Anthony L., Ryna C. & Neha. N., Daven M. & Arshia R. 

⭐Quarterfinals: Natalie Q. & Julianna S., Rainger Y. & Veda D., Rebecca L. & Kaylynn Y.

Yale University

High School Varsity

⭐Double Octafinalists: Dillon M. & Carson D. (securing a SILVER BID to the TOC!) 

⭐Triple Octafinalists: Aaron T. & Isabel T. 

⭐Quadruple Octafinalists: Katherine X. & Grace L., Harrison W. & Paul W., Cooper L. & Christopher T.

Speaker Awards:

📣2nd: Dillon Ma (out of 578 competitors) 

📣6th: Carson Donnelly

This past weekend was a busy one, with students competing at Ivy Street, NAMSDC Sapphire Cup, and Valley Mid-America Cup! Here are the highlights from this weekend – great job, everyone!

HUGE shout-out to Poolesville HL, Ellen L. and Leavy H., who acquired their second GOLD BID to the Tournament of Champions. Ellen and Leavy are now qualified for the Tournament of Champions after attending only two tournaments! Congrats, Ellen and Leavy!

Marist Ivy Street (Varsity): 

Semifinals (Top 4)

Felicity W. & Amber Y.

Quarters (Top 8)

Rachel B. & Ava D.

Shriya S. & Luke W.

John J. & Haohan S. 

Speaker Awards: 

Felicity W: 2nd Speaker out of 80 debaters

Amber Y: 8th Speaker

Marist (MS):

We CLOSED OUT Marist MS (the top 4 teams were all Potomac and all considered CO CHAMPS!!) Congrats!!!

Co-Champions:

Roselyn B. & Nina G.

Rohan R. & Anita W.

Daven K. & Malavika V.

Julian B. & Alex R.

Quarters (Top 8)

Daniel Y. & David Z.

Ellie W. & Emily Z.

Srinika C. & Sahithi M.

Speaker Awards:

Roselyn B: 1st Speaker out of 65+ debaters

Anita W: 2nd Speaker

Nina G: 4th Speaker

Rohan R. 8th Speaker

Julian B: 10th Speaker 

NAMSDC (Novice):

Champions:

Allison L. & Claire L.

Semifinals (Top 4)

Arjun K. & Jonah K.

Valley Mid America Cup (Varsity): 

Semis (Top 4) 

Ellen L. & Leavy H. (GOLD BID!!) 

Doubles (Top 32) 

Our team has done it again! Within the first month of competition, we achieved monumental awards. 

Potomac's team kicked off the new debate season, both virtually and in person, at the first tournament of the year: the National Speech and Debate Season Opener located at the University of Kentucky.

Special congratulations go to Poolesville HL, Ellen L. and Leavy H., and Thomas S. Wootton DT, Ruth D. and Aaron T., for achieving Potomac Debate’s first gold bids of the season! See our squad's results below!

At Online UK (Varsity):

Quarters (Top 8)

Ruth D. & Aaron T.  (Attaining a Gold Bid to the TOC!)

Partials (Top 64)

Shriya S. & Luke W.

Andrew L. & Khartik U.

At In-person UK (Varsity): 

Octofinals (Top 16)

Ellen L. & Leavy H. (Attaining a Gold Bid to the TOC!)

At Online UK (JV):

Quarters (Top 8)

Roselyn B. & Ayan M. and for going 6-0 (undefeated) in prelims

Aahana G. & Peter Z.

Kamran S. & Diya B. 

Speaker Awards:

Ayan M: 2nd Speaker out of 65+ debaters

Roselyn B: 3rd Speaker

Aahana G: 4th Speaker

Peter Z. 8th Speaker

This past weekend, our middle school students debated the following: 

Resolved: Increased restrictions on legal immigration by the US is beneficial.

With immigration constantly being in the news, our students certainly had a lot of materials to work with!

In U13, we placed:

Co-Champions! A Potomac close out between teams Evelyn S. & Angelina Z. and Leavy H. & Dhira H.! Congrats!

In U16, we placed:

4th Place Team: Matthew S. and Brandon W. 5th Place Team: Sean L. and Ryan S. 3rd Speaker: Emily H. 5th Speaker: Alex T.

Since our last update, our team has been crushing it!

In December, members of our high school and middle school squads attended George Mason University, University of Virginia, Ridge, and Club Regionals, where we picked up top prizes!

Here are our results:

GMU (this competition does not rank individual speakers). Out of a pool of nearly 200 Varsity teams, we congratulate the following teams:

Octofinalists: Washington & Florina, TOC Silver bid

Octofinalists: Michelle & Kimberly, TOC Silver bid

Double Octofinalists: Navin & Vinay

Double Octofinalists: Kevin & Paulina

Shout out to Dheeraj and Alex J. (a freshmen duo!), Nataraj and Vivienne, as well as Joshua and Angela for ending up with winning records of 3-2s but missing breaks by a hair!

UVA:

NOVICE CHAMPIONS: Eshaan & Hana

Novice Quarterfinalists: Michael & Rohan; Pranav & Dave 

Novice 2nd Speaker: Isabella

Ridge:

Varsity Top 6: Kevin & Jason, TOC Silver bid

Varsity Top 24: Danny & Kimberly

Varsity 10th Speaker: Jason (out of nearly 100 Varsity speakers! Great job!)

Club:

Bobby & Benjamin: 4th Team in U13

Yifan & Jennifer: 5th Team in U13

Benjamin: 5th Speaker in U13

Matthew & Daniel F.: 1ST PLACE TEAM in U16!

Daniel C. & Amanda: 3rd Team in U16

Vishnu & Carina: 4th Team in U16

Matthew: 2nd Speaker in U16

Amanda: 3rd Speaker in U16

Henry: 4th Speaker in U16

Daniel C.: 5th Speaker in U16

Wow! We’ve had an incredible, incredible season thus far! 

This fall semester, we’ve attended the Georgetown Capitol Nationals Debate Competition and November DCUDL Regionals. We still have two competitions coming up in December before wrapping up the semester! 

Back in October, when our middle school students competed at Georgetown, not only did they go head to head with some of the best middle school teams in the nation, but many of our teams even competed in the high school division!

Georgetown MS students who competed and place in the HS division:

Top Speakers: 1st: Navin 2nd: Jonathan 4th: Katherine 5th: Carina 6th: Alex J. 14th: Maanika

Top Teams: Quarterfinalists: Katherine & Alex J. Octafinalists: Navin & Jonathan; Carina & Maanika

In the MS division, we CLOSED out! 

Top Teams: 

CO-CHAMPIONS: Joshua & Dheeraj  CO-CHAMPIONS: Chris, who ironmanned all of eliminations! Quarterfinalist: Kevin X. & Amberly Octafinalist: Matthew C. & Dhruv; Alena & James 15th: Jet & Daniel F 17th: Michael & Lily 18th: Emily & Alyssa 20th: Amanda & Alex D. 21st: Michelle L. & Megan 

Top Speakers 4th: Jet 7th: Dhruv 15th: Chris 18th: James 19th: Daniel F. 20th: Alena 21st: Alyssa 22: Matthew C.

Special recognition to Michael and Lily, our 5th grade team who went against 6th, 7th, and 8th graders, still managing to place within the top 22! Congrats!

In November Regionals:

In 5th Grade:

Michael & Jonathan: 1st Place Team  Michael: 1st Place Speaker Jonathan: 3rd Place Speaker 

In Novice: 

Matthew & Dheeraj: 1st Place Team Eric C. & Eric W.: 6th Place Team Alice & Colin: 7th Place Team Dheeraj: 2nd Place Speaker Matthew: 3rd Place Speaker Eric W.: 8th Place Speaker 

In JV: Every single JV team placed!

Alena & Alyssa: 1st Place Team Ellen & Angelina: 2nd Place Team Arthur & Dhruv: 3rd Place Team Kevin & Michelle: 5th Place Alena: 1st Place Speaker Ellen: 2nd Place Speaker Alyssa: 3rd Place Speaker Michelle: 4th Speaker Arthur: 7th Speaker 

In Varsity: 

Alex J. & Maanika: 2nd Place Team Chris & Maxwell: 4th Place Team Chris: 2nd Place Speaker Maanika: 5th Place Speaker Maxwell: 6th Place Speaker 

AWESOME JOB EVERYONE!

Looking forward to Winter updates!

:) Plus we have some very exciting updates and tournament coming up in 2017.