In its fourth year as a program, the Chaminade Middle School Debate Team has opened the season with its strongest start ever.

On March 3, the Middle School Debate Team competed at the Curtis School Invitational, taking both top school awards for most wins and highest winning percentage. Competing against schools including Oaks Christian, Oakwood, Curtis, Sycamore Canyon, and Colina, all five of Chaminade’s teams placed and the school finished the tournament with an impressive 17-3 record. The team of Tiffany Thomas, Jeremy Marsh, and Brendan Egan were perfect, taking 1^st. Jonathan Bollinger-Benson, Ryan Town, and Bhaskar Suri were also undefeated placing 2^nd. To complete the sweep, the team of Danica Hosaka, Noelle Johnson, and Alyssa Buzzello finished with a 4-0 record and took 3^rd. Leilah Yanni, Rebecca Gerny, and Lily Haas placed 5^th while Danielle Kass, Shane Munson, and London Pace earned 12^th out of 100 debaters.

Eagle debaters were also recognized individually with speaker awards, taking 10 of the 16 awards, including 8 of the top 10. Lily Haas, placed 2^nd, Rebecca Gerny took 3^rd, and Jeremy Marsh was awarded 5^th.

In its first tournament of the season in early February, Chaminade hosted over 120 debaters from La Reina, Oaks Christian, Oakwood, Curtis, Sycamore Canyon, and Colina. After 4 rounds, the 5 debate teams were 17-3, taking 5 of the top 7 places at the tournament. Chaminade placed 1^st overall in the tournament with an 85% winning percentage.

Out of 16 available speaker awards, our debaters won 10, including a sweep of the top 5 with Alyssa Buzzello taking the coveted gavel as Top Speaker of the tournament.

With this incredible start, Chaminade has qualified 3 teams, the most of any school, for the Claremont-McKenna National Championship in April. The team is coached by Jennifer and Bert Bader.