Vickery Plaque of Excellence

Each year, the Vickery Plaque of Excellence is presented to the most valuable student on the Marist Speech & Debate Team.   The award will consider individual achievements and team achievements in addition to work ethic and leadership.  

The honor is named for Sofia Vickery '02, a member of the first team to place in the top three at the State Championships and first Marist student to go on and debate in college.  Sofia reached the elimination rounds of the Collegiate National Championship for Georgetown University.

Claire Mills '12
2011-2012

Liam Torpy '15
2012-2013

Sydney Apple '15
2013-2014

Brandon Fountain '15
2014-2015

Katie Hopkins '16
2015-2016

Duvall Adair '17
2016-2017

Paul Plaia '18
2017-2018

Will Sjostrom '20
2018-2019

Sophie Verska '20
2019-2020

Anthony Ovadje '21
2020-2021

Claire Lauterbach '22
2021-2022

Josh Escayg '23
2022-2023


2023-2024 Recipient

FAIZA KHALED '25
2023-2024

Torpy Award for Development

Named in memoriam of Michael Torpy ’17, this award is given to a debater who not only improves their own skill set but also contributes to the development of others on the team. The recipient of this award is a combination of the student's character and dedication to the program. Records will not necessarily determine this award. 

Sophie Verska '20
2018-2019

Sydney Vance '21
2019-2020

Faiza Khaled '25
2022-2023

Keegan Leary '23
2020-2021

Josh Escayg '23
2021-2022

2023-2024 Recipient

DANIEL GARCIA '24
2023-2024

Van Houten Award

This award is for the top first year student on the Marist Speech & Debate Team.  The award will take into account work ethic, leadership and individual and team achievements students showed in their first full year of speech and debate. 

This honor is named for Mike Van Houten III who was the captain of the very first Marist Speech & Debate team in 1984-1985. 

Quang Bui '15
2011-2012

Noah Mengisteab '16
2012-2013

Thomas Vance '17
2013-2014

Katie Hopkins '16
2014-2015

Anna Price '18
2015-2016

Victoria Turnier '20
2016-2017

Anthony Ovadje '21
2017-2018

Ian Chung '22
2018-2019

Josh Escayg '23
2019-2020

Alessio Toniolo '25
2020-2021

Charlie Parker '25
2021-2022

Michelle Lee ' 26
2022-2023

2023-2024 Recipient

WILLIAM MASTELLA '28
2023-2024

Maxime Melior Award (2011-2018)

This award was for the most improved student on the Marist Speech & Debate Team.  The award will take into account how the coaches have seen the debater improve their skill set over the years.  Records will not necessarily determine this award.  The award’s recipient will be selected by a committee made up of the Coaching Staff.

Maxime Melior in Latin translates directly to “Particularly Better” or “Most Improved”. 

This award was discontinued in 2018 and replaced by the Michael Torpy Award for Development.


RACHEL THURSTON '12
2011-2012

CHANDLER APPLE '14
2012-2013

RYAN MCKENNA '16
2013-2014

JAKE PIGOTT '16
2014-2015

NOAH MENGISTEAB '16
2015-2016

RACHEL LEE '18
2016-2017

WILL SJOSTROM '20
2017-2018

ANNUAL SCHOOL RECOGNITION

SAINT THOMAS AQUINAS AWARD

Every year, Marist School recognizes the two top seniors for their work in academic competitions with the St. Thomas Aquinas Medal to be worn at graduation.  Speech & Debate is one of seven activities considered for this award at the School. Only seniors are eligible to receive the medal.   Ten debaters have received this medal in school history.

The award was not given in 2019-2020 due to COVID-19.

CLAIRE MILLS '12
2011-2012

BRENDAN PHILLIPS '14
2013-2014

SYDNEY APPLE '15
2014-2015

NOAH MENGISTEAB '16
2015-2016

THOMAS VANCE '17
2016-2017

RACHEL LEE '18
2017-2018

PAUL PLAIA '18
2017-2018

SYDNEY VANCE
2020-2021

ANTHONY OVADJE '21
2020-2021

CLAIRE LAUTERBACH '22
2021-2022

JOSH ESCAYG '23
2022-2023

SEDES SAPIENTIAE AWARD

The Sedes Sapientiae Award is the highest award presented to a Marist student.   It is presented to a senior who has excelled in the areas of scholarship, loyalty, and service, and who, by a vote of the faculty, most exemplifies the mission of Marist School.  This award is not affiliated with the debate program, but is here to recognize our alumni who have received the honor.  Three debaters have won this honor in school history.

DANIEL CHANDRA '08
2007-2008

ERIC EICHELBERGER '12
2011-2012

THOMAS VANCE '17
2016-2017

ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION CUP

Each year The Atlanta Journal Constitution gives a cup to Marist to be awarded to an all‑around outstanding senior. The cup represents the second highest award that Marist can give a student and is selected by a faculty vote.  Four debaters have won this honor in school history.

AMANDA BRADLEY '11
2010-2011

JOHN NIEDZWEICKI '12
2011-2012

CLARE SEYMOUR '21
2020-2021

IAN CHUNG '22
2021-2022

MARIST SPEECH & DEBATE ALL TIME RECORDS

MOST WINS BY AN INDIVIDUAL DEBATER

Debaters who participate in policy debate, lincoln douglas debate, or public forum debate receive wins and losses at the end of each round.  

Claire Lauterbach '22 holds the all time wins record with 286 career wins. 

Marist School has had 24 debaters reach the milestone of 100 career wins and 8 debaters reach 200 career wins.

DEBATERS WITH MORE THAN 100 CAREER VICTORIES

MOST TOC BIDS BY AN INDIVIDUAL DEBATER

Debaters who participate as a part of our national circuit debate program are able to earn bids to the Tournament of Champions - the highest achievement you can earn as a debater.  To see all TOC history, please click here.

Claire Lauterbach '22 holds the all time record with 20 bids to the Tournament of Champions

Marist School has had 5 debaters reach the milestone of 10 career bids.

DEBATERS WITH MORE THAN 10 CAREER TOC BIDS

Alta (UT), Apple Valley (MN) x2, Blake School (MN) x2, Bronx Science (NY), Blue Key (FL), Carrollton (GA) x2, Cypress Bay (FL), Dowling Catholic (IA), Durham Academy (NC) x2,  Kentucky (KY), Nova (FL), University School (FL) x3, and Valley (IA)


Apple Valley (MN), Blake School (MN), Blue Key (FL), Bronx Science (NY), Carrollton (GA), Dowling Catholic (IA), Emory University (GA) x2, Glenbrooks (IL), Holy Cross School (LA), Kentucky (KY) x2, Millard North (NE), Nova (FL), Saint James School (AL) x2, and University School (FL)


Alta (UT), Apple Valley (MN), Bellaire (TX), Blake School (MN), Blue Key (FL) x2, Carrollton (GA), Durham Academy (NC) x2, Emory University (GA), Kelly Walsh (WY), Kentucky (KY), Nova (FL), St. Genesius (GA), University School (FL) x2


Apple Valley (MN), Blake School (MN), Blue Key (FL), Bronx Science (NY), Carrollton (GA), Dowling Catholic (IA), Emory University (GA) x2, Glenbrooks (IL), Holy Cross School (LA), Kentucky (KY) x2, Nova (FL), Saint James School (AL) x2, and University School (FL)


Apple Valley (MN), Blake School (MN) x2, Bronx Science (NY), Cypress Bay (FL), Dowling Catholic (IA), Durham Academy (NC), University School (FL) x2, and Valley (IA)

ALL TIME NSDA POINT RECORD

Through the National Speech & Debate Association’s Honor Society, students earn distinction through speech and debate competition, as well as community service, public speaking, and leadership activities.    Students earn points by participating in a number of speech and debate activities including interscholastic competition, public speaking events, and service activities.   For example, students earn 6 points for every win and 3 points for every loss in a debate. 

Josh Escayg '23 holds the all time record with 3,809 points.

Marist School has had 47 debaters reach the milestone of 1,000 career NSDA points, 12 to reach 2,000 career points and 2 to reach 3,000 career points.

DEBATERS WITH MORE THAN 1,000 CAREER NSDA POINTS

SINGLE SEASON NSDA POINT RECORD

Debaters earn NSDA points for competing at tournaments.  Debaters can earn up to 6 points for each win or ranking of '1' in a competitive round.

Josh Escayg '23 holds the all time single season record with 1,866 points, set in 2022-2023.

Marist School has had 62 debaters reach the milestone of 500 NSDA points in a season and 9 to reach 1000 points in a season.

KAITLYN ESCAYG '26
9TH GRADE RECORD
1,289 Points (2022-2023)

EPHRATA TESFAYE '26
10TH GRADE RECORD
975 points (2023-2024)

FAIZA KHALED '25
11TH GRADE RECORD
1,837 points (2023-2024)

JOSH ESCAYG '23
12TH GRADE RECORD
1,866 Points (2022-2023)

KAITLYN ESCAYG '26
FIRST YEAR RECORD
1,289 Points (2022-2023)

EPHRATA TESFAYE '26
SECOND YEAR RECORD
975 points (2023-2024)

FAIZA KHALED '25
THIRD YEAR RECORD
1,837 points (2023-2024)

JOSH ESCAYG '23
FOURTH YEAR RECORD
1,866 Points (2022-2023)

DEBATERS WITH MORE THAN 500 NSDA POINTS IN A SEASON

Earning more than 500 points in a single show high levels of competition and success.  Only 36 debaters in school history have achieved this milestone.

SINGLE SEASON NDCA POINT RECORD

The National Debate Coaches Association has held a National Championship Tournament each Spring since 2006. Driven by the desire to host a season-ending championship tournament run by high school coaches, the NDCA National Championships has grown into a premiere national championship that attracts the very best teams from throughout the United States.   At the National Championship, the NDCA awards a trophy to the top performing team in the regular season based on the amount of points they have earned throughout the regular season.  This race has been referred to as the “Race for the Baker”.   The points formula looks at size of the tournament and the geographic diversity of the tournament and weighs it against your preliminary record and how you finish in elimination rounds at tournaments.  Unlike other rankings, the NDCA counts every tournament in the country to allow more accessibility.  

Will Sjostrom '20 & Sophie Verska '20 hold the single season record for Marist School with 1,445 points.  They finished 3rd overall in the rankings in 2019-2020.

Marist has had fourteen teams reach the milestone of 500 NDCA Team Points in a single season.

PARTNERSHIPS WITH MORE THAN 500 NDCA TEAM POINTS IN A SEASON