Chicago high school debate team qualifies three for national championship

A moment of silence was observed at the Harrison Board of Education meeting on March 19, 2025, to honor the memory of Gia Gentile, who recently passed away after a brave fight against cancer. The board expressed heartfelt condolences to the Gentile family during this difficult time.

In a meeting filled with positive news, the board celebrated the achievements of several student groups. The high school debate team shone brightly, with three members—Jack Borman, Brooke Ciano, and Jack Gessner—qualifying for the National Catholic Forensic League (NCFL) national championship set for Memorial Day weekend. Additionally, Reece Potash earned fifth place out of 135 competitors at the Digital Speech and Debate National Championship, while Andrew Gaffin and another student also placed in the top ranks.

The meeting also highlighted the accomplishments of students at the New York State Science and Engineering Fair, where seniors Yacine Oseman, Samantha Ramirez, and Massimo Reali, along with juniors Liam Azar and Chase Endy, showcased their impressive research.

Moreover, the DECA business team achieved record-breaking success at the New York State DECA competition, which saw over 3,000 participants. Eleven students qualified for the national competition, with Addison Valente earning first place for the third consecutive year and Jonathan Lewis qualifying for the second time.

The board's recognition of these achievements underscores the commitment to fostering excellence among students in various disciplines, reinforcing the importance of academic and extracurricular success within the district.