The Rise of Ralph J. Bunche Academy, embodied by John Marshall and Manuela Millioria (Bunche MM)!
It was a beautiful, clear day in Berkeley, California on January 30 — particularly beautiful for our two Varsity round finalists at the Bay Area Urban Debate League (BAUDL)’s Spring Opener at UC Berkeley. Besting our largest field of Varsity debaters this year were teams that are no strangers to an audience, a stage, and the final round: California Preparatory Academy’s Carlene Ervin and William Hampton Bruce (Cal Prep EB) and Skyline High School’s Kayla Wheatfall and Maya Juergens-Ingle. Both teams entered the round with perfect, 4-0 records, separated by a mere 3 speaker points. On a 2-1 decision hinged on health care and the politics of “choice” in every sense of the word, Cal Prep’s Carlene Ervin and William Hampton Bruce prevailed. Carlene and William are coached by Cal Prep’s Kendra Johnson while Kayla and Maya head Chris Scheer’s impressive roster at Skyline High School.
UC Berkeley was the fateful fourth tournament for many of our debaters — marking not just a new semester, but a transition from the Novice Division to the Varsity Division. With courage, hard work, and eloquence in tow, the Varsity division was a tapestry of talent and tenacity. 46 strong, the Varsity division consisted of Zach Delle and Abraham Mussalam (Balboa DM) and first-time Varsity teams Sania Mahmaud and Yami Mchombo (Cal Prep MM) and Tina Chen and Sarah Kay (Balboa CK) rounding out the Top 5. Trailing closely behind were Fremont’s persistent pair, Juan Ramos and Jazmin Garcia (Fremont RG) followed by San Francisco’s very own Miranda Pettiford and Henry Kwan (Balboa PK). Leaving an incredible impression was “maverick” debater, Diego Garcia (Fremont G), who refused to let an odd number of debaters and his solo performance stop him from reaching the top. Natassija Jordan and Briana Martiniz (Cal Prep JM) infused their brand of eloquence in the Top 10, while Skyline’s Kira Turnbull and LaTorree Howard (Skyline TH) followed their Novice closeout in December at Fremont with an impressive Varsity debut.
Near flawless in rhetoric, dynamic in delivery, the Top 5 Speakers in the Varsity Division were Carlene Ervin of Cal Prep, Zach Delle of Balboa, William Hampton Bruce of Cal Prep, Kira Turnbull of Skyline, and Natassija Jordan of Cal Prep.
What necessitates more bravery than jumping from one Division to another? Navigating the ropes of a new activity all-together! In the Novice Division, Emiliano Zapata Street Academy asserted that they are back, in full force, with champions Luis Montoya and Ronnell Stanton (Street MS) accumulating an unbeatable, 3-0 record. .3 speaker points behind was a razor close second place finish by Skyline’s Pierre Sagna and Kahlil Whitaker (Skyline SK). Skyline High dominated the Novice Division, placing Jonathon Gordillo and Shamid Rathod (Skyline GR) and Kristine Molina and Christian Huerta (Skyline MH) in the Top 5 — only for the streak to be broken by Ralph J. Bunche’s dynamic duo of John Marshall and Manuela Millioria (Bunche MM).
Like their Varsity counterparts, the argumentative chops of the Novice Division were embodied by a series of talented speakers. The Top 5 Novice Speakers oscillated between two teams: Pierre Sagna, Natasha Nickelson, and Shamid Rathod represented Skyline High, sharing the spotlight with Street Academy’s Luis Montoya and Ronnell Stanton.
Sweepstakes awards were earned by Skyline High School and California Preparatory Academy. The Spirit Award will be traveling across the Bay Bridge to San Francisco – perched in the halls of the mighty Balboa High School.
Click Here to See the Top Teams in the Varsity and Novice Divisions!
Click Here to See the Top Speakers in the Varsity and Novice Divisions!
