Competing against top teams from around the country at the National Speech and Debate Association’s season opener tournament, sophomores were 4-2 in preliminary debates, advancing into the first round of the elimination bracket. Sophomores Zach Berg and Jasper Karlson were also 4-2 in preliminary competition and advanced into the second round of the elimination bracket.

The following weekend, at the Yale Invitational debate tournament, 9th graders Aminata Diallo and Cole Corper -- competing at their first-ever high school competition -- went 5-1 in preliminary debates and advanced all the way to the double-octofinal elimination round. Leo Yu ‘23 and Shreya Saravanan ‘25, competing in the especially challenging varsity division, also advanced into the first round of the elimination bracket.

Overall, the Dalton Public Forum Debate Team welcomed nine new members from the class of 2025 in September: Aida Kasparova, Aminata Diallo, Anysa Bickici, Arav Mehta, Aryav, Tampi, Caroline Lee, Cole Corper, Ollie Feder, Shreya Saravanan. New members are still welcome to join.

In October, Dalton students will debate at tournaments hosted by Bellaire High School, Bronx Science, the Manhattan Debate League, and the New York Debate League--yes, they’re different, but the thrill of victory is the same.