Newman Has Strongest Finish in Years at Speech and Debate Nationals

Newman's Speech and Debate Team competed at the National Speech and Debate Tournament from June 19-23 in Birmingham, Alabama. It was the 26th time in school history that we have qualified students to the National Speech and Debate Association's national tournament.

Congratulations to Claire Rufin ’18 for placing in the top 60 in the US in Humorous Interpretation, marking the first time in Newman history to have a student in the elimination rounds of interpretation events at Nationals.

Congratulations to Rajan Agrawal ’18 and Royden Lynch ’18 for placing in the top 50 in Policy Debate, marking the highest place of a Newman policy duo at Nationals since 1999.

The Barkley Forum Foundation at Emory University awards the Pelham Award to a coach "in recognition of devotion to the forensic arts which teach motivation, integrity, and character." Coach Greg Malis was named the 2017 recipient of the award, marking the second time in the history of the award when the recipient was a member of the Newman faculty.

Debate Coach Alma Nicholson was honored to be among an elite few to be invited to judge the final round of Lincoln Douglas Debate, determining the national champion. It was the first time she was selected as a final round judge.

Please join us in congratulating our outstanding Speech and Debate team.