Stamford High Sophomore Advances To National Debate Championship

Information via Stamford Public Schools

STAMFORD, CT— Ryan Shoztic, a Sophomore from Stamford High School, has qualified for the National Championships of the Reagan Foundation's annual Great Communicator Debate Series being held this summer in California.

Earlier this month, Shoztic participated in the Northeast Qualifying event with fellow SHS Debate team members Panos Ketonis and Krishma Gewali. Both Shoztic and Ketonis advanced to the quarterfinal round, where they were required to compete against one another. Shoztic advanced to the final round earning the invitation to the National Championship.

National qualifiers is not new to the SHS Debate team. Two years ago, then-Senior Aron Ravin took first place in the National Championship of the Ronald Reagan Great Communicator Debate Series.

"This is a huge accomplishment for the Stamford High Debate Program, and significant for Ryan, as he is only a sophomore," said SHS Social Studies and IB Theory of Knowledge Teacher and Debate Coach Jeremy White.

According to the organization, the Ronald Reagan Great Communicator Debate Series was founded to develop engaged, informed and conscientious citizen leaders by hosting a national series of high school debates. The debates search for students who can effectively use logic, evidence and personality to communicate their ideas, just as Ronald Reagan did throughout his life.

As a National Championship Qualifier, Shoztic will receive an all-expense paid trip to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Southern California, including a private tour of the library, dinner under the wings of Air Force One and a chance to meet an extraordinary group of young leaders.