For the first time ever, the Jefferson Speech & Debate team has captured the State Championship, bringing home the prestigious Team Sweepstakes Award! This historic victory is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and talent of Jefferson’s incredible competitors, who dominated in multiple categories and earned numerous individual honors.
The tournament featured high-level competition, with debaters tackling complex issues of international law and U.S. foreign policy. Public Forum teams debated whether the United States should accede to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC), engaging in intense discussions about the court’s role in prosecuting war crimes and crimes against humanity, U.S. sovereignty concerns, and global justice. Jefferson’s Kidus Hiruy and Keller Wagemann emerged as State Champions, showcasing their ability to craft nuanced arguments and think on their feet.
Meanwhile, Lincoln-Douglas debaters examined whether the United States ought to become a party to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and/or the Rome Statute of the ICC. This topic required competitors to navigate complex legal and ethical considerations, including the balance between national interests and international cooperation. Jefferson’s Jonah Texley and Nate Stolz advanced to the semifinals, demonstrating their skill in philosophical reasoning and persuasive advocacy.
The team’s success extended beyond debate, with Keller Wagemann earning an additional state title in U.S. Extemp, where competitors must analyze current events and deliver insightful speeches with limited preparation. In other events, Mayen Mayen placed 4th and Aayush Mohapatra placed 5th in International Extemp, while Meridian Hailu secured 5th place in Original Oratory.
This first-ever state championship marks a historic milestone for Jefferson Speech & Debate, but the season isn’t over yet! Several Jefferson students have already secured spots at Nationals this summer, and with a few more opportunities left to qualify, the team is still going strong.
Current National Qualifiers
Keller Wagemann & Kidus Hiruy - Public Forum
Mayen Mayen & Aayush Mohapatra - Public Forum
Jonah Texley - Lincoln-Douglas
Meridian Hailu - Original Oratory
Teonna Randle - Program Oral Interp
Edom Hiruy - Program Oral Interp
Kyra & Kai Rivera - Duo Interp
A huge congratulations to all our speakers and debaters for making Jefferson history! Your hard work, passion, and dedication continue to make us proud.