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Background
Background
Speech and Debate is one of Hawken’s largest extracurricular activities. Founded over 40 years ago by Dr. Larry H. Banks, the team has built an impressive list of results, including multiple state champions, three team state championships in 2014, 2016, and 2021, two national championships in 2014, and is a five-time recipient of the National Speech and Debate Association Debate School of Excellence Award. Every season, the team travels around the country to debate at the country’s most prestigious tournaments, such as Harvard, Emory, National Speech and Debate Tournament, and the University of Kentucky’s Tournament of Champions. Currently coached by Bob Shurtz, Rachel Warnecke, Kate Mozynski, Lynn Beeson, Melinda Dus, and Eva Lamberson the Speech and Debate team is without a doubt one of Hawken’s most celebrated signature programs.
Speech & Debate Coach Biographies
Speech & Debate Coach Biographies
Bob Shurtz
Bob Shurtz
Bob Shurtz has been teaching science and math and coaching speech and debate at Hawken School for over 30 years. He has been the Director of Speech and Debate since 1998. He has received his third diamond from the National Speech and Debate Association and is a member of the Ohio High School Speech League Hall of Fame. He has coached many state champions in Lincoln Douglas Debate, Public Forum, Policy Debate, and Congressional Debate as well as numerous students in the final round. He has also coached national champions in Public Forum and in Congress. A graduate of the University of Michigan with a master's degree in physics from Harvard University, Mr. Shurtz has received teaching awards from the Tandy Corporation, MIT, Stanford, and Williams College and has served as the Academic Director of the United States Physics Team. He is currently the Director of STEMM Pathways.
Rachel Warnecke
Rachel Warnecke
Rachel Warnecke joined the team this year as a speech coach specialzing in the interpretation events.
Eva Lamberson competed in Lincoln Douglas for four years at Canfield High School in Ohio. Eva was a two time NCFL Grand National Tournament qualifier, a tournament which they championed in 2018. Eva was also a two time NSDA National qualifier, where they advanced to round 12 both years, placing 15th in 2017 and 11th in 2018. Eva has been coaching since 2018 and working with Hawken students since 2020. Eva has coached students to qualify to all three major national tournaments - NSDA, NCFL, and TOC. Students Eva has coached have reached late outrounds or finals at tournaments like the UK season opener, Yale, Durham, the Ohio State Tournament, NCFLS, and NSDAs, and have championed tournaments like Pennsbury, the Ohio State Tournament, and the NCFL Grand National Tournament. They studied philosophy, English, and religion at Youngstown State University, where they championed the 2020 Intercollegiate Ethics Bowl National Competition and the 2023 NEDA National Competition in Policy. They also teach for the Victory Briefs Institute and is the Director of Social Media for VBI.
Eva Lamberson
Eva Lamberson
Testimonials
Testimonials
“The Hawken Speech & Debate program afforded me opportunities not usually available to high school students. My time with the team was spent traveling around the country as I competed with some of the best and brightest high school students. The program also cultivated skills such as research, public speaking, and critical thinking that have practical value in the real world. I would highly recommend the team if you are looking for a fun and rewarding learning experience.”
– Tim Perevozchikov ‘14
“Speech and Debate has taught me the value of stepping outside of my comfort zone. Even if I don't necessarily want to show up to the next round, I still do, and that is what has made the difference. I've learned to apply this skill in all aspects of my life, from studying to making new connections: the perseverance and tenacity I've learned has changed my life.”
–Lukas Tomsich '22
"Speech and Debate was the most family oriented program I have ever had the privilege of being involved in at Hawken. It defined a huge portion of my Hawken experience, socially and academically. I had a stellar coaching staff and incredibly intelligent teammates who were extremely dedicated to helping me with argument generation, research, and public speaking skills, but what I will remember most is how that shared dedication created a family dynamic for the team. I felt like I was completely and thoroughly involved with people who cared just as much about my success as I did, and who I could go to not only as a teammate, but also a best friend for advice. From red eye flights back from tournaments to late night practices to team dinners, I grew to love all of my teammates like best friends and will miss them immensely when I’m at college. Speech and debate is the best thing I have done so far with my 18-year-old self.”
–Nicole Kastelic ‘16
“Speech and Debate lead me to better understand myself as a person and taught me to reshape my definition of success and achievement. From the roller coaster ride of tournaments to the diligent practices, speech and debate have taught me to appreciate all parts of my progress and focus more on my personal growth compared to personal achievement.”
– Abhi Chundru '22
“My son's Speech & Debate experience taught him to speak more articulately and comfortably, even in front of large groups. The skills that he learned will be useful throughout his life no matter what career path he chooses. He learned about world events and made a lot of friends both inside and outside of Hawken School. It was easily his favorite activity from his four years in high school.”
– Bobbie Jacobson, Parent of Isaac ’16 and Eli ‘19
Colleges our students have attended
Colleges our students have attended
Yale University
Harvard University
Princeton University
Duke University
University of Chicago
Columbia University
Stanford University
Northwestern University
Dartmouth College
Brown University
University of Pennsylvania
Syracuse University
University of Southern California
The Ohio State University
Colgate University
Case Western Reserve University
Carnegie Mellon University
University of Michigan
John Hopkins University
Washington University, St. Louis
Duke University
Rice University
Vanderbilt University
Youngstown State University
University of San Diego
University of Virginia
New York University
Georgetown University
Tufts University
American University
George Washington University
LeHigh University
Kenyon College
and more!
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