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BCPS Students Take Top Honors in State Debate Championships

Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) congratulates students who competed in the Florida Forensic League's Varsity State Championship in Orlando, with four BCPS students taking top honors. The event took place March 4 – 5, 2023, in Orlando. Students qualified for the competition by placing at the top of their Regional Tournament in a variety of events that showcase their skills in rhetoric, persuasion, and argumentation.

The District qualified more students for the state championship than any other region in the state, with 96 BCPS students earning the right to compete. Of those, 25 BCPS students distinguished themselves by making it to the final round of competition, and four students won the state championship titles for their event. The four champions representing BCPS are:

  • Lisa Kolley, 12th Grade, Western High School – Dramatic Interpretation Champion

  • Emily Stevens, 10th Grade, Western High School – Congress Champion

  • Siddarth Sudhaker, 11th Grade, Nova High School – Domestic Extemporaneous Speaking Champion

  • Caitlin Williams, 12th Grade, Everglades High School – Program Oral Interpretation Champion

BCPS has the largest debate initiative in the country, with programs in 120 elementary schools and in every middle and high school, with more than 15,000 students actively competing.

To learn more about the Debate Broward initiative, visit browardschools.com/debate.

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ABOUT BROWARD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
“Educating all students to reach their highest potential.”
Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) is the sixth-largest school district in the nation and the second largest in the state of Florida. BCPS is Florida’s first fully accredited school system since 1962, serving more than 256,000 students and approximately 110,000 adult learners in 240 schools, centers and technical colleges, and 90 charter schools. BCPS supports a diverse student population representing 170 different countries and speaking 147 languages. To connect with BCPS, visit browardschools.com, follow us on Twitter @browardschools, on Facebook at facebook.com/browardschools, and download the free BCPS mobile app.