Hallmark Sponsors First DKC High School Tournament at University Academy
October 15 – For the second straight year Hallmark generously sponsored DEBATE-KC’s season opening high school tournament at University Academy. Hallmark’s sustained support helped grow the tournament, which was 25% larger than last year. Approximately 120 students from seven schools competed in policy debate and student congress.
The tournament featured an amazing judging pool that included college debate coaches, DKC graduates and college debaters. The head coach of the junior college champion Kansas City Kansas Community College (KCKCC) squad, Darren Elliot, came and brought some of his debaters. Kansas University, the University of Missouri Kansas City and Missouri Western University also sent college debaters to judge. Several DKC graduates, including DKC Board member Brandon Dial, added to the top flight judging.
University Academy was an excellent host, which is to be expected since they are coached by DKC Hall of Famer Jane Rinehart.
“Hosting the first tournament can be difficult because new debaters are still learning how it all operates. Fortunately, we had an experienced coach in Jane Rinehart and financial support from Hallmark,” said Gabe Cook, DKC’s Director. “This allowed us to recruit judging of the highest caliber and keep everything on time.”
Sumner Academy had an excellent showing. They swept the top five places in student congress and won the overall sweepstakes award. The second place sweepstakes was a rare, unbreakable three way tie between University Academy, Lincoln Prep and Wyandotte.
DEBATE-Kansas City is grateful for Hallmark’s sponsorship and excited by the growth in high school debate. The tournament entry included 30 novice teams, which is a good sign for the future. DKC’s next weeknight tournament will be at Washington High School on October 29th and the entire DKC schedule can be found here.
The complete list of winners:
Novice Speaker Awards
- Washington High School, Italia Cunningham
- Patton Junior High, Lawson Smead
- African Centered College Preparatory Academy , Precious Watson
- Wyandotte High School Cynthia Banuelos
- University Academy, Kyndall Williams
- Patton Junior High, Amaja Andrews
- African Centered College Preparatory Academy, Tania Taylor
Novice Policy Team Awards
- Patton Junior High, Ethan Reinhold and Tino Perez
- Sumner Academy, Aliyah Shaw and Ajhanae Franklin
- Patton Junior High, Jada Berry and Amaja Andrews
- Wyandotte High School, Marcellus Brown and Casey Khounvasa
- Lincoln College Prep, Ashlin Vasquez and Anna Reynolds
Open Speaker Awards
- Lincoln College Prep, Frankie George
- Lincoln College Prep, Monica Propst
- Lincoln College Prep, Ellen Baker
- Wyandotte High School, Malavian Thammavongsa
- Washington High School, Phillip Jones
Open Policy Team Awards
- Lincoln College Prep, Monica Propst and Ellen Baker
- Lincoln College Prep, Jill Sojourner and Frankie George
- University Academy, Daniel Johnson and Kayla Gilmore
- Lincoln College Prep, Adrian Ruiz and Jorge Lopez
- Sumner Academy, Ajla Racic and Chandler Herron
Student Congress Awards
- Sumner Academy, Latara Demery
- Sumner Academy, Michael Franklin
- Sumner Academy, Thalia Hernandez
- Sumner Academy, Alexis Fant
- Sumner Academy, Marshall Allen
Sweepstakes Awards
- Sumner Academy,
- Three tied: University Academy, Lincoln College Prep and Wyandotte High School
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