Students on the Lincoln-Douglas debate team stood victorious at the Western JV Novice Championship during the weekend of March 7.
The tenth annual tournament, held by the Bay Area Urban Debate League, took place at City College of San Francisco. The event serves as a championship for novice debaters across California. Sydney Lee ’29 and Hattie Pfanschmidt ’31 co-championed the tournament after two long days of competition.
“Everyone who attended cleared elimination rounds for the second year in a row, but co-champions is remarkable,” Head Coach of Middle School Debate Khamani Griffin said. In the weeks leading up to the tournament, the team dedicated extensive time to research and preparation.
“We work really hard not only during the school day and every practice, but also on the car ride there, in the hotel room, and in between rounds to help each other,” Lee said. “Our teamwork and organization were definitely the reason all of us were able to break elimination rounds.”
Pfanschmidt, the only seventh grader on the team, reflected on the experience.
“I loved winning with my team and working together,” Pfanschmidt said. “It was a great experience, and I think I got a lot better from it. The tournament was fun and a successful run. Everyone did really well, and I hope we get to do it again!”
Griffin said he was proud of the team’s achievement.
“My coaching goal this year was to close out a tournament,” Griffin said. “I’m really proud of what we’ve been building with HW Middle School Debate.”
