This past Saturday, Nightingale officially concluded another successful Middle School Debate Tournament season at the league championship competition. After months of preparation, argumentation, and collaboration, 13 of Nightingale’s 24 Middle School debaters qualified to compete in the championship tournament, which featured four preliminary rounds followed by a public final debate between the top two teams.

Throughout the day, students tackled a range of thought-provoking motions, including whether animals should be used for human entertainment and whether criminal trials should be decided by professional jurors instead of citizen juries. Competitors also participated in two impromptu debate rounds centered on the topics “Grades do more harm than good in middle school” and “Stability is more important than freedom,” challenging students to think critically and respond persuasively in real time.

Representing Nightingale at the championship were Scarlett B. ’31 and Ivana C. ’31; Annabel R. ’31, Riley M. ’31, and Chloe L. ’31; Makensie S. ’31, Noa C. ’31, and Liza B. ’31; and Margaux M. ’31, Piper M. ’31, and Aviva Z. ’31. Each team finished the day with an impressive 2–2 record in a highly competitive field.

Several students also earned standout individual and team honors. Out of 200 speakers, Ivana C. ’31 placed fourth overall as an individual speaker. In the team rankings, Margaux M. ’31, Piper M. ’31, and Aviva Z. ’31 finished in 22nd place out of 70 teams, while Makensie S. ’31, Noa C. ’31, and Liza B. ’31 earned 24th place.

Congratulations to all of Nightingale’s debaters on an exceptional season defined by thoughtful dialogue, teamwork, and intellectual curiosity.