BLS Debate Team Continues Its Successful Season (Webb/Fleming) All Classes

Maya Nelson earned Finalist honors in Congressional Debate competing at The Paradigm, an online tournament hosted by Dowling Catholic High School in West Des Moines, IA. Her final round included students from eight different states. Maya also reached Semifinals (top 56 students) at the Princeton Classic, hosted virtually by Princeton University. Michelle Zhang advanced to Semifinals in Original Oratory at the Princeton Classic. She placed ninth overall out of more than 100 competitors, earning a bid to the Tournament of Champions in Lexington, KY. It was her first ever tournament and first national tournament competing in speech. Mira Yu advanced to Semifinals in Program Oral Interpretation at the Princeton Classic. She placed 11th overall. It was her second tournament and first national tournament competing in speech. Samuel Chen and Neil Jin advanced to Octofinals (the Round of 16) in Public Forum Debate at the Princeton Classic, distinguishing themselves in a field featuring more than 100 teams! They won five out of six preliminary debates and entered the elimination bracket as the 14th seed. They earned a bye in the first elimination round and defeated Bethesda Chevy Chase (MD) in the Round of 32 before falling to Regis (NY).