Mia Alejandra Rodríguez Santos and Ana Margarita Sabillón Méndez, students from Saint George School, secured an impressive victory in the international division of the Public Forum Junior Varsity competition at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
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Saint George School, a proud member of the National Speech and Debate Association (NSDA), has been participating in this prestigious tournament since 2013, solidifying its reputation as a top contender in academic debate. This year, eight schools from the Dominican Republic took part, showcasing the country’s growing excellence in competitive debate. The final round saw two Dominican teams face off in a heated and high-level debate, with the Saint George team emerging victorious in a unanimous 3-0 decision by the judges.
The Harvard National Speech and Debate Tournament is one of the most prestigious debate competitions in the world, bringing together students from different countries to demonstrate their skills in argumentation, critical thinking, and public speaking.
Debate is more than just a back-and-forth exchange of ideas—it’s an intellectual exercise that requires deep analysis of global issues. Competitors must actively listen to their opponents and craft evidence-based, logical responses to present well-founded solutions.
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A unique aspect of this competition is that students must prepare arguments for both sides of a given topic. This approach not only enhances their understanding of complex issues but also fosters empathy, adaptability, and strong analytical thinking. Through rigorous research, structured speech development, and persuasive argumentation, young debaters refine their ability to communicate effectively and defend their positions with clarity and confidence.
With this latest victory, Saint George School continues to uphold its legacy as a leader in international academic debate.
