South Lakes HS Debate is Best in Virginia

The South Lakes High School Speech and Debate program has earned so many honors this year, it now has its own trophy case on the second floor of the school.

Among the highlights in 2012-13: The Virginia High School League Debate Championship, which is the first academic state championship in school history. The Seahawks edged out Thomas Jefferson for the title last month.

"South Lakes has really developed a name for itself," says SLHS debate advisor Cheryl Finley.

Finley says that with success, interest and participation in the program has also grown. The program now has about 50 students- up from just 10 a few years ago - and the speech and debate teams have gained a reputation around Northern Virginia for being well-prepared.

Four students - Chiara Sauvage, Reuben Levy-Myers, Andrew Kropp-Sullivan  and Jeffery DiSanto-Ranney - have qualified for the National Catholic Forensic League National Tournament in Philadelphia at the end of May.

Additionally, junior Grace Erard will compete in the National Forensic League Lincoln-Douglas debate nationals in Alabama in June.

Both teams are brainstorming ways to raise money to pay for travel to the national competitions. 

Erard had a strong showing at the Lincoln-Douglas Debate Virginia qualifier this spring. She says preparation is the key to a strong debate.

"I prepared both negative and affirmative arguments," on the given topic, said Erard. "You have to keep an open mind. do background research and anticipate common arguments. It is a lot of work, but it really paid of in the long run."

SLHS Speech and Debate highlights:

WACFL League Awards:

NFL League Awards

VHSL League Awards

Interested in helping the speech and debate kids offset expenses? Contact advisor Cheryl Finley.