Guilford High School Debate Team Excels at Connecticut Debate Association Tournament

The following is a Press Release from the Guilford High School Debate team, provided by Cindy Cartier:

Guilford High School Debate Team, under the guidance of Coaches Selectman Cindy Cartier and Teacher Ralph Russo, entered 3 teams in the Connecticut Debate Association Tournament held in Glastonbury on Saturday, February 2.  All teams did exceptionally coming in the top 10 in the Novice Division. 

The team of Jimmy Sullivan and John McGowan came in 2nd place; the team of Matt Murphy and Zachary Clark came in 5^th place; and the team of Will Amon and John Reagle came in 9^th place. There were a total of over 150 students from Connecticut High Schools competing in the meet and over 35 teams in the Novice Division.

“I was so pleased with the performance of our students in the meet,” said Selectman Cartier, “the interest in debating prompted my forming the team with Teacher Ralph Russo last year and we have over 20 students as members as the team continues to grow in its’ second year.”

“We were excited to have done so well having spent weeks preparing,” said Jimmy Sullivan, “We are looking forward to the upcoming meets and competing in the finals.” 

The debating season continues through March concluding with State Finals.  The team of Sullivan and McGowan has earned a spot in the State Finals by winning all three rounds of the debates and earning a trophy.  This will be John McGowan’s second year competing in State Finals.

“Many of us have wanted to have a debate team at the High School and are glad to have this opportunity to show that we have the skills to be great debaters and public speakers,” added Liam Grace-Flood, Team President. “We know that the efforts we are making on the team will help us in our careers going forward,” Grace-Flood added.

The next meet is scheduled for Saturday, March 2 at Guilford High School from 9am to 5 pm.  Everyone in the community is welcome to come down and see our students debate.  If anyone has an interest in participating either as a team member or providing support to the team in the upcoming debate, please contact Cindy Cartier at 203-916-2430 or cynthia.cartier@comcast.net.