2017 DKC High School City Championship Results

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On December 2^nd and 3^rd, DEBATE-Kansas City hosted its annual High School City Championship for policy debate. Held at the University of Missouri-Kansas City campus, over 100 students from eight schools competed across three divisions (novice. junior-varsity, and varsity) to be crowned ‘city champions’. An array of judges offered their time and advice to the debaters, including UMKC, JCCC, & KCKCC debaters, DKC Board members, coaches & volunteers, and DKC/College debate legend Ryan Wash. With four rounds of debate and elimination rounds, debaters entered Royal Hall ready to battle it out.

In the novice division, the lone wolf of Luis Valadez from Harmon edged out the competition to be named the smoothest talker of the weekend. Following in second was Omari Tatum representing Southeast and Jessiyah Ewing from University Academy in third. Eejan Clarkson, Clayton Bailey, Lisa Thomas, and De’Ahris Murray all did University Academy proud by claiming 4^th-7^th respectively. And Ramone Ward of Allen Village claimed the 8^th speaker award in a hard fought novice pool. As the team awards rolled around, some familiar faces saw some hardware as the team of Bailey/Murray claimed the spot of city champions. They were met by their teammates Jackson/Jessiyah and Mendoza/Clarkson as they claimed second and third place team respectively. University Academy showed up in force and claimed some serious hardware to show for it.

In the junior-varsity division things were just as interesting. Following in unspoken DKC tradition, the lone-wolf of Lily Scanton University Academy was crowned the top speaker of the year. Close behind was the lone wolf of Lincoln Prep, Magdas Bhatti in second, and half of the Newborn’s De’Na in third. Jaleon Brown of Sumner, Neymara Freeman (Sumner), Delsean Williams (Allen Village), and Sophie French (Lincoln Prep) claimed 5^th– 7^th respectively. Running with a head of steam, Freemand/Brown of Sumner claimed bragging rights as the city champions. The Newborns, not to be forgotten, wound up as this year’s runner-ups, and the teams of Pratt-Phillips/French and Bhatti of Lincoln Prep took third 3^rd and 4^th respectively.

With the title of ‘city champion’ and a chance to represent DKC at the Urban Debate National tournament in Washington D.C. on the line, the varsity division saw its fiercest competition go head-to-head. Cheyenne Clopton of Lincoln got her name in the books early, donning the title of top speaker in the varsity division. The lone-wolf of Raven LaBerrie of UA closed in at second, and the lone-wolf of Sakina Bhatti of Lincoln took home 3^rd speaker honors. Cheyenne’s partner, Alex as well as Anaia Johnson of Turner found their names in the history books as well, garnering 4^th and 5^th place honors respectively. With the trip to D.C. on the line, the team of Thompson/Clopton secured the bag, as they were named the 2017 city champions. Sakina Bhatti came in at a close second, the team of Williams/Moechoe of UA secured third, and Raven LaBerrie was the 4^th survivor of the city championship tournament.

Cheyenne Clopton and Alex Thompson of Lincoln Prep earned a bid to the Urban Debate Nationals in Washington D.C. this April.

The tournament marked a milestone of accomplishments for many of DKC’s debaters, and served as a reminder of what glory can be obtained for many others. This tournament could not have been possible without our many coaches, volunteers, donors, board -members, alums, and of course, our debaters. #DKCFam

Full list of results below!

H.S. City Championship

Novice Speakers

Luis Valadez – Harmon
Omari Tatum – Southeast
Jessiyah Ewing – UA
Eejan Clarkson – UA
Clayton Bailey – UA
Lisa Thomas – UA
De’Ahris Murray – UA
Ramone Ward – Allen Village

Novice Teams

Clayton Bailey/De’Ahris Murray – UA
Meya Jackson/Jessiyah Ewing – UA
Johnathan Mendoza/Eejan Clarkson – UA (3^rd)
Lisa Thomas/Quran Taylor – UA (3^rd)
Jaevon Drummer/Jordan Ford – UA
Alexandria Riley/Ti’Junae Miller – UA
City Champs Clayton Bailey & De’Ahris Murray