Marist School Speech & Debate Team Dominates at State and District Championships

Despite the program being predominantly comprised of younger students, with 7th graders constituting over a quarter of the team, the competitors have demonstrated remarkable expertise. This serves as a testament to their dedication and rigorous preparation, under the guidance of Mr. Jeffrey Miller, the debate program director, and Ms. Abby Schirmer, the associate director.

 

“Our team is young,” Miller acknowledged. “But they performed like seasoned veterans when it mattered, and now it's exciting to see how well the program is set up for the near future.”

 

The journey to success began with the Georgia Forensic Coaches Association (GFCA) state championships held January 19-20 at Carrollton High School. Notably, this marked the inaugural year for Marist to include 7th and 8th graders competing at the high school level year-round, a decision that yielded extraordinary results. Setting a historic milestone, Marist School secured three of the top four spots in a single division at the state tournament, a feat unprecedented in the school's history.

 

Continuing their winning streak, Marist School hosted the Georgia Independent School Association (GISA) State Debate Championship on Saturday, February 3. Matthew Horne '24 and William Mastella '28 emerged as undefeated GISA state champions in Public Forum Debate. Furthermore, Horne was honored with the prestigious Top Speaker Award.

 

The momentum persisted as Marist School hosted the GFCA Varsity State Tournament February 9-10, during which the Speech & Debate team secured yet another state championship along with two state runners-up accolades. The home turf advantage seemed to fuel the team's competitive spirit, resulting in exceptional performances across various categories.

 

“The state championships for Speech & Debate are an exhilarating marathon that span nearly a month,” said Miller. “This season, we saw over 60 students from our team compete across eight divisions in three tournaments, culminating in the remarkable achievement of securing three individual state championships. This success is a direct reflection of our students' dedication and hard work. Unlike most programs in the state that focus on a single category of speech or debate, Marist prides itself on offering a comprehensive range of Speech & Debate disciplines, ensuring that every student finds their niche within our program. What excites me the most is the knowledge that within our diverse offerings, every student has the opportunity to achieve success in their chosen field.”

 

As the National Championship qualifying season kicked off on February 22 at the National Speech & Debate Association (NSDA) Southern Peach District Qualifying tournament, our team redirected its efforts towards the goal of qualifying to compete in the National Championships in Des Moines, Iowa, this coming June. Continuing our tradition of excellence, the team clinched the Overall District Championship title for the fourth consecutive year. They also earned their tenth consecutive Debate District Championship, fourth consecutive Speech District Championship, and second consecutive Congress District Championship. Numerous team members have earned spots to compete nationally, and their names are provided below. 

With a track record of excellence and a roster brimming with talent and determination, Marist School's speech and debate program is poised to make a significant impact on the national stage.

 

“To me, it's not about the wins or trophies,” said Faiza Khaled ’25, “but rather the experiences, friends, and knowledge gained in the process. The best part of the Speech & Debate community is being surrounded by numerous other like-minded individuals that share the same drive, passion, and values. My best memories and friendships were made through debate competitions. There's just no other activity like it. After all, where else do you see a group of high schoolers hiking the Grand Canyon and then waking up at 5 a.m. the following morning to go to a debate tournament? We can do it all!”

 

As the school community celebrates these remarkable achievements, there is palpable excitement and anticipation for the continued success of the Marist School Speech & Debate program.

 

View photos of the Speech & Debate champions.

 

Faiza Khaled ’25 — State Champion — Varsity Program Oral Interpretation

Sienna Reams ’24 — State Champion — 2nd Year Impromptu Speaking

Matthew Horne ’24 & William Mastella ’28 — State Champion — GISA Public Forum

Logan Bjerke ’25 — State Runner Up — Varsity Informative Speaking

Ephrata Tesfaye ’26 — State Runner Up — Varsity Original Oratory

William Mastella ’28 & Nick Powell ’28 — State Runner Up — 1st Year Public Forum

Michelle Lee ’26 & Ephrata Tesfaye ’26 — 3rd at State — 2nd Year Policy Debate

Ryan Baldwin ’28 & Grayson Zeigler ’29 — (tie) 3rd at State — 1st Year Public Forum

Aman Thakur ’29 & Jacob Scherrer ’29 — (tie) 3rd at State — 1st Year Public Forum

Sienna Reams ’24 — 3rd at State — Varsity Impromptu Speaking

Sienna Reams ’24 — 5th at State — Varsity Informative Speaking

Matthew Horne ’24 & Kaitlyn Escayg ‘26 — 5th at State — Varsity Public Forum

Faiza Khaled ’25 — 6th at State — Varsity Impromptu Speaking                    

Charlie Parker ’25 — 6th at State — Varsity Original Oratory

William Mastella '28 & Nick Powell '28 – State Runner Up – Public Forum Debate
Grayson Zeigler ‘29 & Ryan Baldwin ‘28 — 3rd Place – Public Forum Debate

Aman Thakur ‘29 & Jacob Scherrer ‘29 — 4th Place – Public Forum Debate