Rising Star ISD debaters experienced success at two national debate meets. In May, debaters Stephanie Lowther and Kevin Thompson advanced to elimination  rounds at the national meet in Washington, DC with a tournament record of 3-3. These recent graduates rank 17th in the nation out of 126 competitors at the tournament and were awarded medals as a result.

“The level of competition is intense at a national meet, and Stephanie and Kevin debated the best in their careers, “said debate coach Dr. Max Thompson. “They not only represented our community well but our state as well.”

Also earning complements from judges in the Nation’s Capital city were the team of Jessica Koonce & Miguel Luna, Lincoln Douglas debater Frank P., and extemporaneous speaker Marla Cummings.

At the final national meet, held in June in Dallas, Rising Star graduates Lowther and Thompson continued their wins earning the praise of six judges. Also competing in NJFL and earning compliments from judges at the Dallas tournament were squad members Isaac and Philip Bailey which placed 11th in the nation in policy debate, Kendall Bass and Ray Dollins which placed 12th in the nation in policy, and Lincoln Douglas debater Kailee Nall.

“Official ballots are returned to us in August from the National Forensics Office, but preliminary results show that the debate squad impressed a variety of judges and continue to learn from experience,” said Thompson.

The debate squad sincerely thanks the Rising Star community for their financial and heartfelt support of these students as national competitors.

Pictured above Rising Star Debate Team around State of Texas Star at the capital building in Austin  (left to right):  Kailee Nall, Frank P., Marla Cummings, Isaac Bailey, Jessica Koonce, Dr. Max Thompson, Kevin Thompson, Stephanie Lowther, Kendall Bass, Ray Dollins, Philip Bailey, and Miguel Luna.  Photo contributed by RSISD.