Debate Season & Coach of the Year

Debate Season & Coach of the Year
Danny Stock

High School

A well-deserved honor was bestowed last week upon GDS debate director jon sharp, who was named Coach of the Year by the Chesapeake District of the National Speech and Debate Association, covering DC and Maryland. 
 
In response to the news, award-winning musician Jake Blount ’13 wrote on Twitter, “You remain one of my top instructors of all time, including my college professors and the amazing musicians I’ve had the joy of learning from since. Don’t underestimate the mark you make!”
 
Congratulations, coach!
 
jon also sent this update:
"Nate Rubin ’22 competed this weekend at the district qualifying tournament for the NSDA Nationals as the sole eligible representative of GDS in Competitive Speech. While Nate did not qualify for the National Championship, he held his own in International Extemporaneous Speaking and only missed qualifying by a few places. We are confident that next year he will go all the way to Nationals."

Lower/Middle School Debate

Last weekend, LMS debate coach Felicia Kalkman guided students through the U.S. Canada Series and Championships Debate tournament. Twenty GDS students competed virtually among 99 students from 16 different schools. The tournament was the last in a series with students from across the United States and Canada.
 
Congratulations to our strong top ten finishers from the 5th grade debate category: 

2nd: Parker ’28 & Alex ’28
4th: Maceo ’28 & Isaac ’28
6th: Ethan ’27 & Thalia ’28 

Maddy ’27 & Layla ’25 won the Novice Middle School Debate division!

The team of Alexa ’25 and Naomi ’25 won the JV/Varsity MS Debate! The team of Kenji ’25 & Michael ’25 finished right behind them in second place. 
 
Ananth ’27 & Jacob ’27 qualified for the Novice Middle School Championships with an impressive 18 wins! 
 
Finally, the team of Beck ’25 & Peter ’25 won the Varsity Middle School Championships and the team of Clio ’25 & Laila ’25 finished in third!
 

Debate Season & Coach of the Year
  • High School
  • Lower School
  • Middle School