When the Sandburg High School Debate Team traveled to Buffalo Grove High School for its final tournament of 2013, the tournament took on special meaning as participants spread holiday cheer by donating funds to families impacted by the tornado in Washington, IL and had a visit from Santa.
Inspired by IHSA Debate/Speech Director Susie Knoblauch who lives in Washington, IL, the 29 participating debate teams collected money for Washington, including $300 from Sandburg’s team. In addition, funds that would usually be spent on trophies were donated to the relief fund, and coaches provided old trophies to recycle for the tournament.
Sandburg junior Alec Koppers also dressed up as Santa for the tournament, and in between rounds posed for pictures. Donations from the pictures also supported the Washington, IL Tornado Relief Fund. He received a special award from the tournament for his efforts.
In Varsity Public Forum debate, Sandburg took home three of the top speaker awards with Christina Ernst in second, Becca Thoss in third, and Hemza Hajyousif in fourth. In the Junior Varsity division, the team of Ally Arena and Taylor Salamanaca placed first. In the Junior Varsity division, Ally Arena placed first, Evelina Raumoskaite finished fourth and Taylor Salamanaca came in tenth. Zahwa Hajyousif and Chris Bednarz easily won the Novice Division of Public Forum debate while Zahwa Hajyousif placed second and Joel John came in tenth.
