VRHS Debate Team Moves On To Quarter Finals

ESSEX, CHESTER, DEEP RIVER, CT — Three successful teams from the Valley Regional High School's Speech and Debate Club are moving on to the state quarterfinals, which will be held on April 27th via zoom, (a fourth team from Valley also had two wins, however, they did not have enough points to move on to the finals).

The subject that the teams had to debate both affirmatively and negatively about was: "Whether or not Congress should ban social media companies from censoring legal users' speech?"

One of the winning team members, VRHS senior Katie Morrissey, said she is excited about the win and competing in the upcoming quarter-finals.

"I enjoy doing the research required for the competition and thinking methodically about arguing," said Morrissey, who has been on the team for the past four years. "In the later parts of the competition, I enjoy having to respond on the spot, and think quickly on your feet."

Morrissey, who does not plan to pursue a career that involves debate, said that public speaking is always an important skill to have regardless of what career you choose.

Morrissey's partner is junior Ava Cunningham. The other two teams moving on include; Andre Santana and Ben Proctor, as well as, Samara Shankar and Samantha Brookhart Bardelly. (The team that had two wins but not enough points to move on was Margaret Jacaruso and Carolyn Haskins.)

"I am so impressed with the amount of work our students and staff put into Debate and Mock Trial every year," said VRHS Principal Mike Barile. "Our teams consistently demonstrate a high level of excellence in this area and the entire school community is very proud of them."

Congratulations to all teams and good luck at the quarter-finals!

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