Friday, March 29, 2024

Dragon Debate Finishes Out a Strong Year

Dragon Debate completed one of the most successful years in school history. Most recently, Sophomore Sahaj Singh attended the annual University Interscholastic League (UIL) State Tournament in Informative Extemporaneous Speaking. Additionally Emma Lin will be competing this summer at the National Speech Debate Association’s National Tournament, held this year in Birmingham, AL.

Beginning in the Spring with over one thousand competitors across 6A, Sahaj championed both the District and Regional contest before finishing as the Silver medalist taking 2nd Place. As a Sophomore Sahaj had previously qualified and advanced to the Semifinals of the Texas Forensic Association (TFA) State Tournament, held in March. Last year, under Coach David Brown, Carroll closed out Persuasive Speaking at UIL, placing 1st and 2nd overall and had a Finalist at TFA. This marks back-to-back years of 2nd Place or better in Extemporaneous Speaking.

National prestige comes with attending the University of Kentucky’s annual Tournament of Champions, and this year Carroll qualified 12 students in all to the tournament. Senior Emma Lin and Sophomore Sahaj Singh competed in Congressional Debate. Emma finished in 12th Place overall, while Sahaj was a Semifinalist (automatically qualifying to the 2018 TOC). Seniors Jackie Prokopeas and Alex Federick competed in Public Forum Debate. They advanced to the Double-Octofinals, becoming the first ever debate team from Carroll to “break” into the out-rounds at the TOC! That tournament will conclude the season.This year Carroll hosted a national tournament of sorts, a TOC qualifying “bid” tournament in Speech events, a first in the history of both the city and the school.

An image of a family bowling and dining

Photo of a solar eclipse