School News

Debate team stands out in national competition

Friday, February 05, 2010
Florida Catholic staff - Florida Catholic

FORT LAUDERDALE – Fresh from a successful debate tournament, 19 students from St. Thomas Aquinas High School competed at the Barkley Forum at Emory University in Atlanta at the end of January.

St. Thomas’ Barkley team, consisting of sophomores, juniors, and seniors, returned to Fort Lauderdale with a fourth place win in Student Congress for Frances Rodriguez, a junior, and Blaise Koncsol, a senior, named Best Presiding Officer.

“Schools traditionally have to apply to compete in this nationally recognized tournament,” said Robert Mulder, assistant principal for curriculum. “The St. Thomas team was not only accepted to compete this year, but they also were recognized as a key entrant in the competition.”

Based on their performance, St. Thomas Aquinas High School will not have to go through the application process in the future. They will be automatically considered for entrance into the competition. Only about 100 schools in the nation have been granted this distinction.

This school year, the team has successfully competed in many tournaments nationally, including tournaments at Yale University, George Mason University, and the University of Florida Blue Key. Locally, they have competed in Nova High School’s Titan Tournament and the Crestian Classic at Pine Crest School.