On Sunday, February 22, the College’s Debating Team hosted an intercollegiate debating tournament in Casey Hall, welcoming a number of talented college debaters from the local region. Defending their home field for the first time this semester, the team did not disappoint.
The team of Alma Godinez and Jordan Zuber-Banks led the way, earning a second-place finish in the always very competitive Varsity Division. They missed out on the top-place finish by only one point. Mr. Zuber-Banks also earned an individual third-place speaking award. Veteran debater Nathaniel McAuliffe took the first-place speaking award in the Varsity Division. Paired with Katherine Flores, who was competing in the Varsity Division for the first time, Mr. McAuliffe and Ms. Flores finished the day with a 2-1 record. In the Junior Varsity Division, the newly formed team of Jonathan Cho and newcomer Shakira Hamilton made some noise at the tournament as well, competing hard and gaining some very good experience along the way. Team member Natalie Arias, who did not have a partner available for the competitoin, provided valued support as a judging advisor throughout the day.
The Debate Team will be back on the road to compete in its next tournament of the semester to be held at SUNY-Rockland on Sunday, March 22 at 11:30 a.m.