WAIMEA — Parker School’s 37 debaters won 79 ballots Nov. 11 at the Punahou School Non-Qualifying Speech and Debate Tournament on Oahu, winning the trophy for the largest overall number of wins. Punahou School placed second with 51 ballots.
Parker went on to win a second trophy for the highest percentage of winning ballots, coming out on top with 64 percent of the wins. Iolani School finished second with 53 percent of the winning ballots.
Parker School was one of 15 schools that participated in this statewide tournament. As the only neighbor island school and the smallest school to compete, it is proving to be a strong force standing up against much larger schools. The team has been working hard in class and after school, in addition to holding practice rounds with Hilo High’s debate team to prepare for tournaments.
“It is exciting to go against the best schools in the state. To be successful represents a strong effort on the part of our students and I am really proud of them,” said Carl Sturges, Parker School’s headmaster and debate coach.
Parker debaters who went undefeated included beginner public forum debate seniors Jaipal Brar and Owen Matsuda; sophomores Tyler Thomas and Hiroki Soler; junior varsity policy debate senior Shione Mochizuki and junior Emma Laliberte; and junior Zoe Vann in Championship Lincoln Douglas debate.
Other noteworthy performances were senior Spencer Corabi and junior Macy Note winning five out of six rounds in advanced public forum; senior Riley Herendeen and sophomore Katie Carey winning five out of six rounds in junior varsity policy debate, and junior Colin Klimt’s superior rating in Student Congress.
Parker School’s next debate competition will be at McKinley High School Dec. 16 on Oahu.