On February 15, 2015 the ERHS debate team won the University of Pennsylvania Liberty Bell Classic debate tournament. Now, they are headed to the Washington Arlington Catholic Forensic League Metro finals in Fort Lauderdale.

In the process of the tournament, participants leave school early to get there with two person teams, and debate in rounds for 45 minutes, then repeat the process multiple times. The topics of debate for ERHS at the semifinals regarded free community college and economic globalization in poverty. Although the process might appear to be tiring and draining, the team pushed through and earned their win.

Juniors Olufunke Awowale and William Nguyen were especially proud of their achievement. “That was my best debate of the year,” said Awowale.

Nguyen agreed, and said, “I learned a lot; it was more of a learning experience.”

Juniors Donovan Harvey and Vinai Rachakonda said that they felt likewise.

Harvey said that the tournament “absolutely could’ve been better, however it feels good to win.” He added that this was the team’s first time win of a regional debate tournament.  “We could’ve done better in terms of preparation, but I’m happy about the win,” Rachakonda said.

Sponsor Jennifer Matson said that she is not as surprised about the win. “Our varsity team is the team that’s always the winner,” said Matson. However, she is still proud of their win. “Their work habits have improved, and on one side they had a really good case.” She hopes that the team will take the win at the upcoming Washington Arlington Catholic Forensic League Metro Final Nationals an May 23-25, 2015.