On May 8th DEBATE-Kansas City hosted its 15th Annual Awards Night Celebration sponsored by UMKC Communication Studies and Office of Student Affairs. Ryan Wash, the history making DKC/Central graduate, was the keynote speaker.
Ryan gave an amazingly personal account of his debate career and how it intersected with difficulties at home. In the end, Ryan said he found a home in debate and hopes that others can to. Part of finding that home was using debate not just to argue for a given side but to express himself in a meaningful way. Ryan encouraged the students to keep debating and to use debate to express themselves genuinely because that kind of space and freedom is much more limited later in life. Everyone can watch the full speech here.
DKC competitors received dozens of awards to recognize their season of hard work. Students also performed a public debate in a student congress format. Suan Sona of Arrowhead affirmed the idea that we should increase spending on American roads and bridges, while Michelle Tonoco-Morales of Sumner opposed the proposition. Ellie Jensen of Center Middle was the Presiding Officer while Areanna Boyd of Lee A. Tolbert and Aaron Max Baker of Foreign Language Academy asked questions.
The winners list can be found in the final DKC power rankings. Additional awards included:
Coach Awards:
Newcomer of the Year: Art Delgado and Jorge Fuller
Most Innovative: Linda Collier and Holly Ford
Team Spirit: Sumner Academy and Arrowhead Middle
Most Community Minded: Jane Rinehart and William Lindsey
Most Resourceful: Michelle Lee and Terrie Miller
Volunteer of the Year: Sohail Mahyar Jouya
Melvin B. Tolson Senior Award: Corey Fisher
Sweepstakes:
Middle School
1. Foreign Language Academy
2. Arrowhead
3. Lee A. Tolbert Community Academy
High School
1. Lincoln Prep
2. Sumner Academy
3. Washington
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