The Wayland High School debate team brought home more trophies in its final Grand Rapids Metro Debate League Wednesday, Nov.18.
The students competed every Wednesday for five weeks with an awards ceremony the final evening after the 10th debate round.
The league consists of more than 100 students from Grand Rapids Catholic Central, City High, East Kentwood, Forest Hills Central, Grand Rapids Innovation Central, Kenowa Hills, Mona Shores, Rockford, Wayland, and West Ottawa.
The League is hosted by Grand Rapids Innovation Central High School with two divisions — Novice (first year competitors) and Open (JV/Varsity). All students debated this year’s topic, curtailing domestic surveillance. Students can qualify in individual speaker awards by competing in eight rounds of debate.
WHS Novice Debate had two students, Ray Rodriguez and Khylea Wells, place in the top 20. Every member of WHS Varsity Debate placed in the top 20: Jon Seymour and Alex Cameron (top thirty), Sam Jones and Makaila Huffman (top twenty).
The top ten are awarded trophies: Lexie Walters (10th place speaker), Dylan Thompson (sixth place speaker), Trenton Woodcox (second place speaker). Maddy Crawford (first place speaker).
The varsity debate team also brought home second and fourth place team trophies, with only one point separating them from first.
Coach Andrea Brown said she’s thrilled with both the novice and varsity teams.
The debate team continues the competitive season with an upcoming tournament at MSU, hosting its own tournament on Dec . 12 and state tournament in January.
PHOTO: (Kneeling, from left) – novice team: Olha Shenkarenko (12) Ray Rodrigeuz (11) Kylea Wells (9) Alexis Replogle (11), Giselle Arias (9), Kaitlyn Good (10), (standing from left) varsity eam: Sam Jones (Captain, 12) Jon Seymour (11), Makaila Huffman (10), Maddy Crawfrod (Captain, 12), Trenton Woodcox (Captain, 12) Lexie Walters (11), Dylan Thompson (12) and Alex Cameron (12). (Photo courtesy of Laurie Zywicyznski)
