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CHS Advances to “Sweet 16” in International Debate Contest
Three Clayton High School students have advanced to the “Sweet 16” round of the Bickel & Brewer/New York University International Public Policy Forum (IPPF). This international debate competition is the first and only competition that gives high school students around the world the opportunity to engage in written and oral debates on issues of public policy.
By advancing, CHS’ team, comprised of sophomore Marysia Hyrc, junior Omkar Venkatesh and senior Jake Tarr, is only one round away from earning an all-expenses-paid trip to the IPPF Finals in New York City in May and the opportunity to win a $10,000 grand prize. CHS English Teacher Justin Seiwell serves as the team’s staff adviser.
“The Clayton High School team has demonstrated an excellent command of a very complex and timely topic – mass surveillance,” says William A. Brewer III, partner at Bickel & Brewer and a founder of the IPPF. “These students will now compete for a chance to win a trip to New York City to compete in the IPPF Finals.”
This year, 243 teams – representing schools in 32 U.S. states and 21 countries – submitted qualifying round essays affirming or negating the IPPF topic, “Resolved: Mass surveillance is not a justified method of governmental intelligence gathering.” Those essays were reviewed by a committee, which determined the top 64 teams based on the overall quality of each 2,800-word essay.
In November, the “Round of 64” teams began a single-elimination, written debate competition. Each team was assigned a position (affirmative or negative) and then volleyed papers back and forth with another team via email. A panel of judges reviewed the essays and selected the winning teams. In that round, CHS defeated Gauteng Schools' Debating Board from South Africa. In the “Top 32” round, CHS defeated Nixa High School from Nixa, Mo.
The “Sweet 16” round is now underway. CHS is competing against Bob Jones High School (Team #1) of Madison, Ala. The top 16 teams represent schools from nine U.S. states and five countries, including the United States, Czech Republic and Canada. CHS is the only team from Missouri to advance to the “Sweet 16” round.
On March 19, the “Elite 8” teams will be announced. Those teams will travel to New York City on an all-expenses-paid trip to the IPPF Finals in New York City. The Finals will take place on May 2, 2015, at the Harold Pratt House.
The IPPF Finals give students the opportunity to participate in oral debates in front of some of the world’s foremost experts in debate, business, law and politics. Judges will include Bickel & Brewer Partner William A. Brewer III and New York University President John Sexton. The winning team will take home the “Bickel & Brewer Cup” and a $10,000 grand prize.
By advancing, CHS’ team, comprised of sophomore Marysia Hyrc, junior Omkar Venkatesh and senior Jake Tarr, is only one round away from earning an all-expenses-paid trip to the IPPF Finals in New York City in May and the opportunity to win a $10,000 grand prize. CHS English Teacher Justin Seiwell serves as the team’s staff adviser.
“The Clayton High School team has demonstrated an excellent command of a very complex and timely topic – mass surveillance,” says William A. Brewer III, partner at Bickel & Brewer and a founder of the IPPF. “These students will now compete for a chance to win a trip to New York City to compete in the IPPF Finals.”
This year, 243 teams – representing schools in 32 U.S. states and 21 countries – submitted qualifying round essays affirming or negating the IPPF topic, “Resolved: Mass surveillance is not a justified method of governmental intelligence gathering.” Those essays were reviewed by a committee, which determined the top 64 teams based on the overall quality of each 2,800-word essay.
In November, the “Round of 64” teams began a single-elimination, written debate competition. Each team was assigned a position (affirmative or negative) and then volleyed papers back and forth with another team via email. A panel of judges reviewed the essays and selected the winning teams. In that round, CHS defeated Gauteng Schools' Debating Board from South Africa. In the “Top 32” round, CHS defeated Nixa High School from Nixa, Mo.
The “Sweet 16” round is now underway. CHS is competing against Bob Jones High School (Team #1) of Madison, Ala. The top 16 teams represent schools from nine U.S. states and five countries, including the United States, Czech Republic and Canada. CHS is the only team from Missouri to advance to the “Sweet 16” round.
On March 19, the “Elite 8” teams will be announced. Those teams will travel to New York City on an all-expenses-paid trip to the IPPF Finals in New York City. The Finals will take place on May 2, 2015, at the Harold Pratt House.
The IPPF Finals give students the opportunity to participate in oral debates in front of some of the world’s foremost experts in debate, business, law and politics. Judges will include Bickel & Brewer Partner William A. Brewer III and New York University President John Sexton. The winning team will take home the “Bickel & Brewer Cup” and a $10,000 grand prize.