The Old Rochester Debate Team has just completed their 2021-2022 debate season. The team was small, but mighty in their wins. Senior varsity partners Mackenzie Wilson and Eddie Gonet IV received first place as the Affirmative Team in the Massachusetts Speech and Debate League with an undefeated record of 9-0. Their negative counterparts, Samuel Harris and Maxwell Vivino, placed second in the league as a negative team with an outstanding record of 8-1.
Varsity affirmative partners Jaymison Gunschel and Jacob Hadley also placed 9th in the league.
The Massachusetts Speech and Debate League consists of high schools (public and private) from across Massachusetts. This year’s topic centers around answering the question, “Should the United States Federal Government substantially increase its protection of water resources?” Students take sides on the topic, often choosing a side that may not be their own personal opinion.
In addition to the debate itself, students are judged on how well they speak. For speaker points of the entire varsity league, Eddie Gonet IV placed first, Mackenzie Wilson placed fifth, Samuel Harris placed 8th and Maxwell Vivino placed 9th.
The Old Rochester Novice Team (First Year Debaters) did considerably well. In the novice division, negative partners Ezra Thompson and Alden Cole-Vieria placed second. Alden also placed first as the best speaker in the Novice section!