Strong Debut For Middle School Team

The Woodward Academy Middle School Debate Team made its season debut this past weekend at the Atlanta Urban Debate League tournament hosted at Tri-Cities High School. The War Eagles were represented by 28 students, 22 of whom were competing at their first-ever debate tournament. Facing off against schools from throughout the Atlanta Metropolitan area, Woodward earned many team and individual awards.

In Novice, Woodward finished with the top three teams and four out of the top ten. Rizaan Kamruddin and Aly Shakoor finished sixth, Suma Gangasani and Sabrina Zhao finished third, Daniell Gallup and Justin Wolozin finished second, and Ben Goodly and Arjun Srinivasan finished first. Daniel Marcus and Simon Marcus also earned a medal by finishing 21st in the field of 57 teams. 

Individually, Woodward earned six of the top ten novice speaker awards and two more in the top 30: Ben Shipp 27th, Suma 14th, Sabrina eighth, Ben G. seventh, Arjun fifth, Aly fourth, Rizaan second, and Justin first. 

In Junior Varsity, Ali Abdullah and Apurva Routhu finished 15th out of 33 teams. Three students also earned individual speaker awards: Ali 19th, Jasmine Sears 14th, and Apurva 13th.

New Middle School Coach Ms. Dana Jefferson was also honored as the AUDL's Coach of the Month.

The next AUDL Middle School tournament is November 10th at McEachern High School.