Two Policy Debate teams from Oak Hill School in Eugene have qualified for the 2018 National Speech and Debate Tournament, which will be held June 17-22 in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.
Sophomores Katrina Carrier and Daisy Hagen won the South Oregon National Speech and Debate Association (NSDA) district championship in Policy Debate, earning their invitation to Nationals, while junior Julian Bellavita and sophomore McKenzie Carrier claimed the district's second qualifying spot. In addition, senior Kirill Myagkov was invited by district coaches to join South Oregon's combined World Schools Debate team at Nationals.
At the South Oregon district tournament, held March 16-17 on the University of Oregon campus, Oak Hill sophomore Aubra Scott-Hinkle earned second alternate honors in Extemporaneous Speaking (International Topics), while Bellavita reached the finals in that event. Scott-Hinkle also reached the equivalent of quarterfinals in Lincoln-Douglas Debate. In Extemporaneous Speaking (U.S. Topics), both Hagan and McKenzie Carrier reached the finals, with Hagen being named first alternate, while sophomore Kat Antunes and Katrina Carrier reached the semifinals.
The National Debate and Speech Tournament has been held across the country since 1931, and today is the largest academic competition in the world. Each year, more than 3,500 high school students participate in a week-long competition to determine the most prestigious title in high school academics: National Champion. This is the fifth consecutive year that Oak Hill School will send competitors to Nationals, and it marks the second time Oak Hill has earned both South Oregon qualifying spots in Policy Debate.
Oak Hill debaters will next compete at the OSAA State Speech and Debate Championships, April 19-21, at Western Oregon University in Monmouth.
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