California teenagers win national Winter Cup Debate Tournament
c/o Eloquence Academy
Eloquence Academy is pleased to announce the results of is pleased to announce the results of its 2nd Annual Winter Cup Debate Tournament.
The tournament was open to any student, in any country, enrolled in an accredited primary school, secondary school, or debate club. From December 16, 2023 through December 17, 2023, the tournament welcomed over 80 impressive competitors from more than ten states and two countries. With middle and high school divisions, students competed in teams of two on the timely topic of whether the United States federal government should forgive all student loan debt, considering taxpayer impact, social justice, and the American higher education system.
Each partnership competed in up to eight debate rounds with eight speeches and three cross-examinations per round. Students utilized their previous research and vast knowledge of the topic to craft articulate, powerful ideas. Each and every speech reflected excellence in public speaking, rhetorical skills, critical thinking, and social awareness.
“We are incredibly proud of our participants and the thoughtful yet eager responses they brought to the tournament,” said Spencer Chaisanguanthum, Chief Executive Officer of Eloquence Academy. “We are equally grateful for our volunteers, implementation partners, and donors who helped bring this idea to life. By empowering students to research, understand, and advocate, we are developing the next generation of dynamic leaders and changemakers who can tackle society’s most complex problems head-on.”
Participants were judged by some of the foremost leaders in the field of public speaking and public policy on a range of criteria including creativity, the clarity and relevance of their message, ability to incorporate research, and delivery. We extend congratulations to Ariana Corbu and Shruthi Nagulapalli from Papaya Valley High School in Evergreen, California for placing first, emerging out of a competitive pool. Aahaan Jain and Shrivatsa Joisha from Joaquin Miller Middle School in San Jose, California won first place in the middle school division.
In addition to Corbu, Jain, Joisha, and Nagulapalli, we recognize the following students:
High School Public Forum
Runners-up Gurneel Batra and Shaurya Paul (West Windsor Plainsboro High School South in West Windsor Township, NJ)
Semifinalists Aahana Mishra and Aahna Srivastava (West Windsor Plainsboro High School South in West Windsor Township, NJ)
Semifinalists Urja Saha and Sarina Virmani (Potomac Debate Academy in Rockville, MD)
Quarterfinalists Edwin Cho and Alex Kim (Potomac Debate Academy in Rockville, MD)
Quarterfinalists Victoria Diaz and Laura Jablonover (Potomac Debate Academy in Rockville, MD)
Top Speaker Edwin Cho (Potomac Debate Academy in Rockville, MD)
2nd Speaker Victoria Diaz (Potomac Debate Academy in Rockville, MD)
3rd Speaker Laura Jablonover (Potomac Debate Academy in Rockville, MD)
Middle School Public Forum
Runners-up Mariam Altemimi and Iniya Amarnath (Golden State Academy in Fremont, CA)
Semifinalists Diya Cheruku and Veena Yarlagadda (Potomac Debate Academy in Rockville, MD)
Semifinalists Sophie Tian and Cynthia Wang (Golden State Academy in Fremont, CA)
Quarterfinalists Kathy Feng and Samarth Singh (Potomac Debate Academy in Rockville, MD)
Quarterfinalists Theo Haddad and William Lv (King’s Academy in Sunnyvale, CA)
Quarterfinalists Aarav Khetan and Raaghav Modukuri (Speech and Debate India)
Quarterfinalists Sophia Xu and Samantha Yeung (Joaquin Miller Middle School in San Jose, CA)
Octafinalists Jingye Li and Jason Rong (Joaquin Miller Middle School in San Jose, CA)
Octafinalists Adithya Venkatesh and Thaman Vuppala (Potomac Debate Academy in Rockville, MD)
Top Speaker Theo Haddad (King’s Academy in Sunnyvale, CA)
2nd Speaker Samarth Singh (Potomac Debate Academy in Rockville, MD)
3rd Speaker Kathy Feng (Potomac Debate Academy in Rockville, MD)
For more information about the tournament, or to inquire about the 2024 edition and future competition(s), please visit eloquenceacademy.org or contact finance@eloquenceacademy.org.
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Eloquence Academy, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and 509(a)(2) public charity dedicated to increasing equitable academic debate opportunities for rural and historically underserved students. The Academy offers debate classes, summer camps, workshops, tournaments, in-school programs, and online resources for 2,200+ students across 35 states and 15 countries. Ultimately, EA aims to prepare youth for college readiness, career engagement, and community impact through the transferable skills gained from debate.
