2016 High School Debate State Champions Crowned

Four teams from Darien High School competed in the Connecticut Debate Association State Championship at Wilton High School on April 2, 2016. In the Novice division, Andrew Orner and Paul Hager won 1st place team; Casey Martin and Rory Washecka won 3rd place team; and Paul Hager won 1st place Novice Speaker.

One hundred eighty debaters from thirty-one schools competed in this year’s high school debate state finals held at Wilton High School on April 2, 2016. Thanks to coach Allison Hujar, the Wilton Debate Team and Wilton High School for hosting for the seventh consecutive year.

The topic was one of the most important international issues today –
Resolved: The US should resettle a significant share of Mideast refugees.

The Varsity final round saw the Ridgefield team of Will Barth and Kunal Chauhan on Affirmative win the State Championship on a 4-1 decision against the Academy of Information Technology & Engineering team of Tanusri Balla and Brian Fleischer.

In the Novice division, the Darien team of Paul Hager and Andrew Orner won top honors.

Complete results can be found on on the CDA website.

By Everett Rutan, Executive Director, CT Debate Association