Ten members of the Culver City Middle School Speech and Debate Team recently took on the National Speech & Debate Association (NSDA) Nationals Tournament in Richmond, Virginia. They all did an exceptional job representing CCUSD in the event, which included the top competitors in the country.
The competitors who took to the stage included Amelia Brys and Nami Noriega (Humorous Interpretation,) Sakina Shaiq and Nami Noriega (Duo Interpretation,) Bowie Horowitz and Kisuke Ishimori (Impromptu Speaking,) Quinn Smith-Bussell (Storytelling,) and Arya Rath, Ben Polesetsky, Christopher Tomasz, and Jerome Baxt (Lincoln-Douglas Debate.)
Congratulations to Ben Polesetsky, who won third-place in the Lincoln-Douglas Debate Top Speaker Award!
“We traveled together, shared meals, supported one another through tough rounds, did some sightseeing, did the macarena (some of us), had a class on ironing (life lessons), performed, debated, competed, and watched many final rounds to see how the top competitors perform and win,” said Coach Gina Polesetsky.
“We are taking notes – literally – on how to come back even stronger next year. We also had a great adult support crew: me, Coach Stephanie, and seven parents who judged rounds, chaperoned, and kept us all going.”
The school’s parents are starting a parent booster team for next year to ensure the team can continue elevating; and Polesetsky said the team is looking forward to returning to Nationals, which will be in Phoenix in June, 2027.
Culver Pride
