Students among the best at state speech and debate tournament

The Fox Chapel Area High School team of junior Moonyoung Hwang, left, and senior Adhitya Thirumala were named the state champions in Policy Debate for the second consecutive year.

Seven Fox Chapel Area High School students ranked among the best at the Pennsylvania High School Speech League (PHSSL) State Tournament. The team of senior Adhitya Thirumala and junior Moonyoung Hwang were named the state champions in Policy Debate for the second consecutive year. Senior Isabella White won second place in Commentary. The Policy Debate team of sophomores Joanna Li and Zachary Rubin placed sixth at the state tournament. Sophomore Priscila Hayetian won seventh place in Programmed Oral Interpretation. Sophomore Ulyana Kubini was awarded 11th place in Persuasive Speaking.

Additionally, the Fox Chapel Area High School team won the 1st Place School Sweepstakes Award in the Small School Division for being the best overall team across all events.

The state championship speech and debate tournament was held March 15 and 16, 2024, at Commonwealth University-Bloomsburg. More than 650 students representing 85 public and private high schools from across Pennsylvania participated in the competition.