Woodlands Academy Congressional Debate team excels at season’s first tournament

LAKE FOREST, Ill. – The Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart Congressional Debate team made an impressive showing at its first Illinois Congressional Debate Association (ICDA) tournament of the season. The event, held recently at Glenbrook South High School, drew more than 500 competitors from 26 schools.

In only its second year of ICDA participation, Woodlands Academy earned a second-place finish in the Small School Sweepstakes, just six points behind the first-place team. A total of 10 teams competed in this event, including some larger programs such as Deerfield High School and Lake Forest High School.

Varsity debaters Emily Seliga, Katie Gorman, Madeleine Lillis and Monet Chalermratananon contributed to Woodlands clinching its second-place Sweepstakes finish.

In addition, several students received individual awards and recognition:

• Senior Emmy Seliga – won first-place speaker in her chamber and received five top speaker nominations.
• Junior Katie Gorman – won first-place speaker in her chamber, had four top speaker nominations and was the best presiding officer.
• Junior Madeleine Lillis – won third-place speaker in her chamber and received a top speaker nomination.
• Junior Talia Sevim – received a top speaker nomination.

Woodlands Academy’s ICDA program has grown rapidly. Last year, the all-girls college preparatory high school in Lake Forest fielded just four novice debaters. This season, the team brought 13 students to the Glenbrook South tournament, with eight competing in the varsity division and five debaters-in-formation observing to prepare for future competition.

Woodlands' Congressional Debate team, led by head coach Vanessa Vergara and faculty moderator Matthew Nuccio, will compete next Oct. 28 at Grayslake Central High School.

The Illinois Congressional Debate Association provides leadership for the development, supervision and promotion of congressional debate competition statewide. Participating students simulate senators and representatives from Washington, D.C., and Springfield. In each round, debaters give speeches in support of or against a bill or resolution, question debaters on the opposing side, and vote on whether it should be passed.

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Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart is a Catholic, independent, day-and-boarding, college-preparatory school for young women of all faiths in grades nine through 12. Founded in Chicago in 1858 and located in Lake Forest since 1904, Woodlands is part of a worldwide network of Sacred Heart Schools that spans the United States and 40 other countries on six continents. To learn more, visit woodlandsacademy.org.