New York teenager wins national Spring Cup Debate Tournament
c/o Eloquence Academy
Eloquence Academy is pleased to announce the results of its inaugural Spring Cup Debate Tournament.
The tournament was open to any student, in any country, enrolled in an accredited primary school, secondary school, or debate club. On March 18, 2023, the tournament welcomed over 30 impressive competitors from seven states. With middle and high school divisions, students competed in teams of two, considering the benefits and harms of right-to-work laws. The topic required knowledge of labor law, economics, and workers' rights.
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 Eloquence Academy student Aaron Choi for placing first, emerging out of a competitive pool. Aaron Gu and Avik Susa from Puget Sound Debate Club in Seattle, Washington won first place in the middle school division.
In addition to Choi, Gu, and Susa, we recognize the following students:
High School Public Forum
Runner-up Mana Barimani (Upper St. Clair High School in Upper St. Clair, PA)
Semifinalists Jordan Guzman and Antonio Perez (IN-Tech Academy 368x in Bronx, NY)
Semifinalists Aarush Krishnamohan and Shourya Premkumar (Golden State Academy in Fremont, CA)
Top Speaker Mana Barimani (Upper St. Clair High School in Upper St. Clair, PA)
2nd Speaker Aaron Choi (Eloquence Academy)
3rd Speaker Eric Huang (Golden State Academy in Fremont, CA)
Middle School Public Forum
Runners-up Brandon Cruz and Noah Samb (IN-Tech Academy 368x in Bronx, NY)
Semifinalists Arjun Khurana and Thomas Maramba (Stratford Osgood Middle School in Fremont, CA)
Semifinalists Saharsh Maram and Vivaan Parhar (Golden State Academy in Fremont, CA)
Quarterfinalists Maria Roasario Cepeda and Brianny Garcia Ortiz (IN-Tech Academy 368x in Bronx, NY)
Quarterfinalists Shaurya Gupta and Atul Ramakrishnan (Golden State Academy in Fremont, CA)
Top Speaker Arjun Khurana (Stratford Osgood Middle School in Fremont, CA)
2nd Speaker Avik Susa (Puget Sound Debate Club in Seattle, WA)
3rd Speaker Vivaan Parhar (Golden State Academy in Fremont, CA)
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.
