May 2024
On May 3rd at 5:30pm, the Bridgeport Public Schools Debate League will be hosting the fifth annual Law Day Debate between Park City Prep and Discovery Magnet (varsity debate) and John Winthrop and Harry B. Flood (novice debate). The event will take place at the Margret Morton Government Center 999 Broad Street Bridgeport, CT 06604. The debate is open to the public.
April 2024
On April 27, the Bridgeport Public Schools Debate league along with the New Haven Urban Debate League will be hosting the second annual Revered D. Stanley Lord Parliamentary Debate Tournament. The tournament honors the late Revered Lord who was president of the Greater Bridgeport NAACP, and a big supported of the BPSDL The tournament will take place at the University of Bridgeport, and is open to all middle school and novice high school debaters.
March 2024
On March 21st, at 5:00pm, the Bridgeport Public Schools Debate League will be hosting the third annual Women’s History Month Debate between Bassick High School and Discovery Magnet (varsity debate) and John Winthrop and Harry B. Flood (novice debate). The event will take place at the Pequot Library 720 Pequot Ave, Southport, CT 06890. The debate is open to the public.
On Saturday March 9th, the Bridgeport Public School Debate League held its fourth tournament of the year with 56 students debating ethical/morality topics. The resolutions debated were: This House Believes it is always wrong to lie; This House Believes it wrong to move to better seats that are not in use at a concert; This House Believes it is unethical to pay a child for good grades.
February 2024
On Feb. 20th, the Bridgeport Public Schools Debate League will be hosting the eighth annual NAACP Douglas-Garrison Debate. The debate will take place at Paier College Littlefield Recital Hall at 5:30 pm. Teams from Park City Prep, Marin, Winthrop and the New Haven Urban Debate League will be competing. Littlefield Recital Hall is located at 84 Iranistan Av Bridgeport, CT 06604. This event is open to the public.
On Saturday February 3, the Bridgeport Public School Debate League welcomed Flood Middle School and Bassick High School to its third tournament of the year. League members Park City Prep, Marin, Winthrop, and Discovery Magnet also participated in the event. The topic was Health and Wellness with the students debating the resolutions: This House Would make school cafeterias vegetarian; This House Would require all children to receive the COVID vaccine; This House Would ban e-cigarettes.
January 2024
On Jan.16th, at 5:30pm, the Bridgeport Public Schools Debate League will be hosting the third annual Martin Luther King Day Debate between Jonathon Winthrop School and Park City Prep. The event will take place at Winthrop School 85 Eckart St. Bridgeport, CT. 06606.
December 2023
On Dec.18th, the Bridgeport Public Schools Debate League will be hosting the sixth annual Magnet Cup. Park City Prep and Discovery Magnet will be competing for the coveted Cup. The debate will take place at Park City Prep 1550 State Street Bridgeport, CT 06605 5:30-7:30.
The Bridgeport Public Schools Debate League held its second tournament of the year on Dec. 9th at Discovery Magnet School. The topic was The Labor Movement with 40 middle school students debating the resolutions: This House Would ban unions; This House Would enforce a 4-day work week; This House Would raise the minimum wage to $15.
November 2023
In celebration of Native American Heritage Month, BPSDL will be hosting the second annual Native American Heritage Debate on Nov. 21, at 5:30 pm. Jetti S. Tisdale School 250 Hollister Ave, Bridgeport, CT 06607. This event is open to the public.
In celebration of Veterans Day, BPSDL will be hosting its inaugural Veterans Day Debate on Nov. 10 at the Jetti S. Tisdale School 250 Hollister Ave, Bridgeport, CT 06607.
The Bridgeport Public Schools Debate League kicked off the 2023-24 season on Nov. 11th, with a tournament on Nov 11th at Discovery Magnet School. 42 middle school students tackled the topic of the Environment and debated the resolutions: This House Would ban bottled water; This House Believes wild animals should not be kept in captivity; This House Would encourage offshore drilling.
October 2023
Celebrating 10 years of Parliamentary Debate
On October 7th the Bridgeport Public Schools Debate League opened its tenth season at Discovery Magnet School with old league members welcoming our newest group of debaters and coaches. Forty new students joined the league to compete in the 2023-2024 season
March 2023
On March 31st, at 5:00pm, the Bridgeport Public Schools Debate League will be hosting the second annual Women’s History Month Debate between High Horizons and Discovery Magnet (middle school debate) and Harding High School and Fairchild Wheeler (high school debate). The event will take place at the Pequot Library 720 Pequot Ave, Southport, CT 06890. The debate is open to the public.
February 2023
On Feb. 28th, at 5:30pm, the Bridgeport Public Schools Debate League will be hosting the seventh annual NAACP Douglas-Garrison Debate between Park City Prep and Discovery Magnet (middle school debate) and Central Magnet and Harding High School (high school debate). The event will take place at the University of Bridgeport School of Chiropractic 75 Linden Ave. Bridgeport, CT 06604. The debate is open to the public.
On Feb 26th members of the high school debate teams were recognized at the NAACP Diamond Award Dinner held at the Trumbull Marriott. Also in attendance were Congressmen Jim Himes, Mayor Joe Ganim and keynote speaker, The Honorable Richard A. Robinson, Chief Justice of the Connecticut Supreme Court.
January 2023
On Jan.18th, at 5:30pm, the Bridgeport Public Schools Debate League will be hosting the second annual Martin Luther King Debate between Jonathon Winthrop School and Blackham School (middle school debate) and Central Magnet and Fairchild Wheeler (high school debate). The event will take place at the Pequot Library 720 Pequot Ave, Southport, CT 06890. The debate is open to the public.
December 2022
- On Dec.21st, at10:00am, the Bridgeport Public Schools Debate League will be hosting the fifth annual Magnet Cup. High Horizons Magnet and Discovery Magnet will be competing for the coveted Cup. The debate will take place at Discovery Magnet School 4510 Park Ave Bridgeport, CT 06606.
- In celebration of Native American Heritage Month, BPSDL will be hosting the inaugural Native American Heritage Debate on Dec. 7, 2022 at the Pequot Library 720 Pequot Ave Southport, CT 06890 at 5:30 pm. This event is open to the public.
November 2022
- The Bridgeport Public Schools Debate League kicked off the 2022-23 season with a tournament on Nov 5th at Discovery Magnet School. 64 middle school students tackled the topic of the Environment and debated the resolutions: This House Would ban bottled water; This House Believes climate change is the biggest issue in human history; This House Believes electric cars are impractical.
- Thank you to all our coaches and judges for their hard work and support in making our first tournament a great success.
October 2022
- In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, BPSDL will be hosting the fifth annual Hispanic Heritage Debate on Oct. 12 at Cesar Batalla School 600 Howard Ave Bridgeport, CT at 5:30 pm.
- On Saturday Oct 8th the BPSDL will be hosting its ninth annual orientation, where we will be welcoming all our new and returning debaters
Tournament Results May 3, 2024
Law Day Debate
The Bridgeport Public Schools Debate League was pleased to welcome the Hon. Thomas Welch, Administrative Judge for the Bridgeport Judicial District to our fifth annual Law Day Debate.
In the novice event Harry B. Flood’s, Bianca Lorrius and Ethan Leonard prevailed over Winthrop’s Uri De Souza and Bahrayn Allen on the resolution This House Would require all eligible citizens to vote.
Park City Prep’s Isabella Elliott & Mianna Singleton defeated Discovery Magnet’s Isla David and Trey Keirans for the varsity trophy, on the resolution This House Believes Democracy is a good form of government.
Tournament Results April 27, 2024
D. Stanley Lord Debate
The second annual D. Stanley Lord Tournament, sponsored by the Greater Bridgeport NAACP, welcomed 32 middle school and novice high school debaters from across the state, to the University of Bridgeport for an all day parliamentary debate competition. After seven rounds, Bridgeport’s Park City Prep team of Isabella Elliott & Mianna Singleton defeated South Windsor’s Helen Keller team of Annabel Lau & Alex Lempert for the championship.
Tournament Results March 21, 2024
Women’s History Month Debate
The third annual Women’s History Month Debate was pleased to welcome Mary Grace Pagaduan and Tatani Gay from the Fund For Women and Girls who were the honored guests for this event
In the novice event Winthrop’s Kelise Morris and Bahrayn Allen prevailed over Flood’s Violet Varner and Amya Coroneo on the resolution This House Believes that women should not serve in the military.
Discovery Magnet’s Isla David and Fatima Awad defeated the team of Zhana Steele and Shanoy Clarke from Bassick High School for the varsity trophy, on the resolution This House Believes that beauty pageants are sexist.
Tournament Results Feb. 20, 2024
NAACP Douglas-Garrison Debate
The eight annual NAACP Douglas-Garrison Day Debate saw New Haven UDL’s Linda Chen & Mihn Ho prevail over Park City Prep’s Mianna Singleton and Isabella Elliott for the varsity trophy, on the resolution This House Believes felons should have the right to vote.
In the novice debate, Baharyn Allen & Kelise Morris from John Winthrop defeated London Mills & Kiana Tirado from Luis Munoz Marin on the resolution This House Believes that civil disobedience can be justified in the pursuit of equality and freedom
Tournament Results January 22, 2024
Martin Luther King Day Debate
Bridgeport Public Schools Debate League held its third annual Martin Luther King Day Debate at John Winthrop School. The Winthrop team of Avery Rosado & Bahrayn Allen defeated Attalia Hayes & Jensen Rodriguez Pellot from Park City Prep, in a close contest, on the resolution, This House Believes hate speech should be protected under the First Amendment.
Tournament Results December 18, 2023
2023 Magnet Cup
The sixth annual Magnet Cup, hosted by Park City Prep, saw Discovery Magnet’s Isla David and Philip Brockenberry pull out a one point victory over Park City Prep’s Isabella Elliott and Elijah Elliott on the resolution: This House Would raise the minimum wage to $15/hr.
Tournament Results November 21, 2023
Native American Heritage Debate
In the second annual Native American Heritage Debate, Park City Prep’s Isabella Elliott and Mianna Singleton defeated Jetti Tisdale’s Ryan Mohammed & Isiah Brito on the resolution, This House Believes that the Keystone XL Pipeline should not be allowed to pass through Native American land.
The League welcomed Chief Shoran (White Fawn) Piper of the Golden Hill Paugussett Indian Nation, who addressed the audience after the debate.
Tournament Results November 10, 2023
Veterans Day Debate
The BPSDL inaugural Veterans Day Debate saw Discovery Magnet’s Akhil Mannava & Philip Brockenberry defeat Jetti Tisdale’s Kayla Noel & Naomi Grey on the resolution, This House Would reinstate the draft.
Army veteran Larry Robinson was honored at this event and addressed the students before the debate
Tournament Results May 18, 2023
Law Day Debate
FairchildWheeler’s Margaret Carlson & Thomas Donnelly defeated Central Magnet’s Lotonia Ferguson & Clementine Gnoto in the high school championship of the Bridgeport Public Schools Law Day Debate, on the resolution This House Would affirm the ruling in New York Times Co. v Sullivan
In the middle school debate, Anika Fazal & Mianna Singleton from Park City Prep defeated Aya Haykal & Amari Davis of Blackham School on the resolution This House would regulate the press.
Tournament Results March 7, 2023
NAACP Douglas-Garrison Debate
The seventh annual NAACP Douglas-Garrison Day Debate saw Central Magnet’s Clementine Gnoto and Fairchild Wheeler’s Thomas Donnelly defeat Harding High School’s Anaya Fulbright and Shawaunda Nweby for the high school championship, on the resolution This House Would side with the plaintiffs in the US Supreme Court case Students for Fair Admissions v. University of North Carolina
In the middle school debate, Anika Fazal & Mianna Singleton of Park City Prep defeated Trey Kierans and Taylor Turnstall of Discovery Magnet on the resolution This House Believes the Federal Government should pay reparations to the descendants of slaves.
Tournament Results January 18, 2023
Martin Luther King Day Debate
The second annual Martin Luther King Day Debate saw Central Magnet’s Lotonia Ferguson and Clementine Gnoto defeat Fairchild Wheeler’s Margaret Carlson and Thomas Donnelly for the high school championship, on the resolution This House Would affirm the ruling in Shelby County v Holder.In the middle school debate, Aya Haykal & Amari Davis of Blackham School defeated Chloe Davis & Londyn Eaddy of Jonathon Winthrop on the resolution This House Believes civil disobedience in a democracy is morally justified.
Tournament Results December 21, 2022
2022 Magnet Cup
On Dec. 21st, the fifth annual Magnet Cup was held at Discovery Magnet School in front of a student audience. High Horizon’s Kelci Keddo and Bernardette Kudaisi defeated Discovery Magnet’s Mary Sather and Dantae Vazquezon the resolution: This House Would ban animal testing.
Tournament Results December 7, 2022
Native American Heritage Debate
The inaugural Native American Heritage Debate saw Fairchild Wheeler’s Margaret Carlson and Thomas Donnelly defeated Central Magnet’s Lotonia Ferguson and Tiara Campbell for the high school championship, on the resolution This House Would affirm the ruling in US v Cooley
In the middle school debate, Trey Kierans and Mary Sather of Discovery Magnet defeated Mianna Singleton and Isabella Elliott of Park City Prep on the resolution This House Believes Indian Sports Team Mascots Are Offensive
Tournament Results October 12, 2022
Hispanic Heritage Debate
- In the 2022 Hispanic Heritage Debate, Yale/UDL’s Alex Bavalsky and Zara Escobar defeated Harding High School’s Eythan Sanchez Rendon and Jennifer Velasquez for the high school division championship, on the resolution This House Believes sanctuary cities should not receive federal funding
- In the middle school division championship, Luis Munoz Marin’s Edgar Ortiz and Yariana Martinez defeated Fransheily Martinez-Soda and Mia Agulair of Park City Prep on the resolution This House Believes the US Federal Government should not provide a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants.
April 2022
- On April 29th, members of the Park City Prep debate team competed in the Yale/Urban Debate League Betsy Ross Tournament in New Haven. Renae Townsend and Mianna Singleton won first place for novice debaters while Isabella Conde won second place for best speaker and Trinity McCray took 3rd place.
- On Wednesday April 6th, the Bridgeport Public Schools Debate League held its inaugural Women’s History Month Debate at Paier College, Littlefield Recital Hall. The event was hosted by the American Association of University Women. Participating in the debate were teams from, Central Magnet, Harding High, Jonathon Winthrop and Park City Prep.
March 2022
- On Saturday March 19, the Bridgeport Public Schools Debate League held its fourth tournament of the year with 52 students debating the topic of Criminal Justice. The resolutions debated were: This house would eliminate the death penalty; This house believes prisoners should be allowed to vote; This house would defund the police. We are continuously grateful to all the support we have received.
February 2022
- On Thursday February 17th, in celebration of Black History Month, the BPSDL will be hosting the sixth annual NAACP Douglas Garrison Debate at the Bijou Theater 275 Fairfield Ave Bridgeport, CT at 5:30 pm. The debate will be streamed live on the Greater Bridgeport NAACP Facebook page and will also be replayed on radio WPKN on Monday Feb. 21 at 12:00pm
- On Saturday February 5, the Bridgeport Public Schools Debate League held its third tournament of the year with 58 students tackling the topic of Education. The resolutions debated were: This house believes parents should be able to ban books from libraries and schools; This house believes homeschooling is better than traditional schooling; This house believes religion should be taught in schools. Once again, thank you to all the coaches and judges who volunteer their time to support our students.
January 2022
- On Friday Jan 21st, the Bridgeport Public Schools Debate League held its inaugural Martin Luther King Day Debate at Harding High School. The team from Harding (Government) defeated the team from Central High School (Opposition) on the resolution, This House Would defund the police. This was the first league debate held during school hours and in front of a student audience.
December 2021
- On Dec.17th, at 10:00am, the Bridgeport Public Schools Debate League will be hosting the fourth annual Magnet Cup. High Horizons Magnet and Discovery Magnet will be competing for the coveted Cup. The debate will take place at Discovery Interdistrict Magnet School 4510 Park Ave Bridgeport, CT 06606.
- On Saturday Dec. 11th, the Bridgeport Public Schools Debate League held it’s second tournament of the year with 73 middle school students tackling the topic of Health. The resolutions debated were: This House Believes everyone should be legally required to get COVID vaccines; This House Would allow only fresh fruits and vegetables to be sold in grocery stores; This House Would require facemasks in all public buildings. Thank you to all the coaches and judges who again came out to support the students of the Bridgeport Public Schools debate league.
November 2021
- The Bridgeport Public Schools Debate League kicked off the 2021-22 season with a tournament on Nov 6 at Geraldine Claytor Magnet Academy. 70 middle school students tackled the topic of Technology and debated the resolutions: This House believes tablets should replace textbooks in K-12 schools; This House would allow internet service providers to block access to political groups or individuals who spread falsehoods or disinformation; and This House would allow the use of electronic and internet voting in all elections.
Thank you to all our coaches and judges for their hard work and support in making our first tournament a great success.
October 2021
- Pass The Gavel
Meet our partners and benefactors…
Zach and Zara Yusaf are High School students from the Hackley School in Tarrytown, N.Y. In addition to being nationally ranked debaters, they started a non profit organization to spread the art of debate and public speaking. www.passthegavel.org Through Pass The Gavel, they conduct free debate camps & seminars and have donated funds, computers & other supplies to debate programs across the United States. In addition, they also created a Youtube channel to provide instructional debate videos for students nationwide. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-jvoNlWn7rpqZ216r6ClEA
- Radio Amor has invited BPSDL to debate live on the radio Saturday, Oct 23 at 10am at 261 Portsea Street, New Haven, CT, 06519.
- In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, BPSDL will be hosting the fourth annual Hispanic Heritage Debate on Oct. 13 at Discovery Magnet School 1450 Park Ave Bridgeport, CT at 5:30 pm.
- The BPSDL will be hosting Orientation Saturday on Oct 9th. We will be welcoming all our new and returning debaters!!
Tournament Results April 6, 2022
2022 Women’s History Debate
- The 2022 Women’s History Month Debate was held at Paier College, Littlefield Recital Hall and was hosted by the American Association of University Women. Central Magnet’s Lotonia Ferguson and Iris Stephanie Rivera defeated Harding High’s Lena Graham and Shawanda Newby on the resolution This House Believes working mothers hinders their childrens’ development.
- In the middle school debate Renae and Townsen and Mianna Singleton of Park City Prep defeated Jaliah Wiggins and Briana Rosario of Jonathon Winthrop on the resolution: This House Believes that women in the military should not serve in combat areas.
Tournament Results March 18, 2022
2021 Magnet Cup
- The 2021 Magnet Cup (postponed from December) was held at Discovery Magnet School in front of a student audience. High Horizon’s Maria Santos and Bernardette Kudaisi defeated Discovery Magnet’s Haley Nguyen and Amy Cruz-Flores on the resolution: This house would require vaccinations for children.
Tournament Results February 17, 2022
NAACP Douglas-Garrison Debate
- In the sixth annual NAACP Douglas-Garrison Debate, Central Magnet’s Lotonia Ferguson and Thomas Donnelly defeated Harding High School’s Shawanda Newby and Zaire Davis, on the resolution This House Believes civil disobedience in a democracy is morally justified.
- In the middle school debate, High Horizons’ Benardette Kudaisi and Kelci Keddo defeated Maliya Pierre- Louis and Ashley Bedford of James J. Curiale School on the resolution, This House Would make Election Day a national holiday.
Tournament Results January 21, 2022
Martin Luther King Day Debate
- In the 2022 Martin Luther King Day debate, Harding High School’s Shawanda Newby and Bertony Georges defeated Central High School’s Lotonia Ferguson and Clementine Gnoto on the resolution, This House Would defund the police
Tournament Results October 13, 2021
Hispanic Heritage Debate
- In the 2021 Hispanic Heritage Debate, Central Magnet’s Iris Stephanie Rivera and Evelyn Saqui-Lima defeated Fairchild Wheeler’s Keyring Pastora and Sofia Perez for the high school division championship, on the resolution This House Believes immigration reduces labor opportunities of less skilled natives.
- In the middle school division championship, Luis Munoz Marin’s Shenay Calzada and Madelin Sirin defeated Amy Cruz-Flores and John Carlos Cruz-Flores of Discovery Magnet on the resolution This House Believes DACA and the DREAM Act are good for America.
2020/2019 Winners
Tournament Results January 8, 2020
Magnet Cup
- Discovery Magnet debaters Abraham Lima and Dylan Padua defeated Multicultural Magnet debaters Rosa Navarro Pulla and Leah Santos in the second annual Magnet Cup Tournament. The topic was the environment.
Tournament Results December 10, 2019
Environmental Challenge Debate- Discovery Museum
- Harding’s Zach Billings and Ziona Jackson defeated Iris Stephanie Rivera and Clementine Gnoto in the inaugural Environmental Challenge at the Discovery Museum in Bridgeport. The final’s resolution was This House would restrict ‘fracking’ to extract natural gas from shale. Also competing were Latonia Ferguson and Larissa Fernandes ( Central) and Massiel Goris and Derrick Ballejo (Harding).
Tournament Results December 7, 2019
- 40 middle school teams competed in the second tournament of the 2019-2020 season. The topic was the Environment with the students debating issues on wind power, plastic bottles and animal testing.
Tournament Results November 9, 2019
- 38 middle school teams competed in the opening tournament of the 2019 – 2020 season. The topic was Education with the students debating issues on public school funding, evaluating schools based on test scores and the elimination of home schooling.
Tournament Results November 2, 2019
Vassar College Debate
- High school debaters from the Bridgeport Public Schools Debate League traveled to Poughkeepsie, NY to participate in the Vassar Invitational Debate Tournament held on the campus of Vassar College.
- The League’s top speakers were Kenny Pineda (Fairchild Wheeler), Clementine Gnoto (Central Magnet) and Iris Stephanie Rivera (Central Magnet).
- Also competing were Latonia Ferguson (Central Magnet) Thomas Donnelly (Fairchild Wheeler) Carlos Aguilar (Fairchild Wheeler) Anna Ovalle (Fairchild Wheeler).
Tournament Results October 15, 2019
Hispanic Heritage Debate
- In the 2019 Hispanic Heritage Debate Fairchild Wheeler’s Kenny Pineda and Roberto Hernandez Velez defeated Central Magnet’s Iris Stephanie Rivera and Evelyn Saqui-Lima for the high school division championship. The resolution was This House Would make English the
official language of the United States. - For the middle school division championship, Cesar Batalla’s Atila Rivero and Melissa Jaco, defeated and Discovery/Park City Magnet’s Abraham Lima and Jhilary Garcia on the resolution, This House Would end standardized testing for all elementary school students.
Tournament Results September 28, 2019
Superintendents’ Cup
- In the finals of the inaugural Superintendents’ Cup (novice division), Discovery Magnet’s Abraham Lima and Jason Velasco prevailed on the resolution THBT private schools are unethical.
In the varsity division, Fairchild Wheeler’s Annaliese Ovalle and
Thomas Donnelly took the runners-up spot.
- Also competing and congratulations to:
Kelliece Dixon/Ciara Feliciano (Park City Magnet)
Isabella Valencia/Janelle Newell (Multicultural Magnet)
Clementine Gnoto/Iris Stephanie Rivera (Central Magnet)
Kenny Pineda/Andrew Rosario (Fairchild Wheeler)
Championship Final Results May 20, 2019
- In the 2019 Bridgeport Public Schools Debate League Championship, Betsy Ross’ Gihon Mack and Jayla Anderson defeated Discovery Magnet’s Abraham Lima and Nataly Valencia. The resolution was “This House would require government to obtain warrants to access information such as telephone and internet data that can be used to track an individual”.
- In the semifinals, Mack and Anderson defeated Aldin Medunjanin and Thomas Donnelly of Discovery Magnet and Lima and Valencia defeatedGenesis Bendolph and Laila Kelly-Walker of Betsy Ross. The resolution was “This House would remove the words ‘under God’ from the American Pledge of Allegiance as a violation of the First Amendment”.
Championship Tournament Results May 18, 2019
- 31 teams competed in the season ending championship tournament of the Bridgeport Public Schools Debate League. The topic was US Constitutional Amendments. Teams from Betsy Ross (2 teams), Geraldine Claytor(1 team), Discovery Magnet (3 teams), Park City Magnet (1 team) and Jetti Tisdale (1 team) advanced to the quarterfinals, with Betsy Ross (2 teams) and Discovery Magnet (2 teams) advancing to the final 4.
Tournament Results May 6, 2019
- In the 2019 Hispanic Heritage Debate Cesar Batalla’s Joaquin Chunga and Atila Rivero defeated Multicultural Magnet’s Sofia Atehortua and Rosa Navarro Pulla, in the novice devision. The resolution was “This House believes that the U.S. should take in more refugees.” In the varsity division, Geraldine Claytor’s Evelyn Saqui-Lima and Iris Stephanie Rivera defeated Park City Magnet’s Ciara Feliciano and Daniela Aguero. The resolution was “This House supports illegal immigrants becoming citizens.”
Tournament Results May 1, 2019
- Discovery Magnet’s Aldin Medunjanin and Thomas Donnelly defeated Park City Magnet’s Kelliece Dixon and Ruth Morgan in the 2nd annual Greater Bridgeport Bar Association’s Law Day Debate. The resolution was “This House would regulate the press.”
Tournament Results Mar. 30, 2019
- 28 teams competed in the season’s fourth tournament. The topic was criminal justice.
Tournament Results March 2, 2019
Superintendents’ Cup
- Cancelled due to inclement weather
Tournament Results February 27, 2019
Douglas-Garrison Debate
- Park City Magnet (Kelliece Dixon and Ruth Morgan) representing the government, defeated Discovery Magnet (Thomas Donnelly and Aldin Medunjanin) in the Third Annual NAACP Douglas-Garrison Debate. The resolution was This House would treat White Supremacy groups as terrorist organizations. In the varsity division, Central High School (Jada Burgess and Katerina Ruiz) also representing the government, defeated Fairchild Wheeler (Heer Thakkar and Kenny Pineda) on the resolution This House would make Bridgeport a gun-free zone.
Tournament Results Feb. 2, 2019
- 32 teams competed in the season’s third tournament. The topic was the environment.
Tournament Results Jan. 25, 2019
Twin City Classic
- Jettie S Tisdale (Annaliese Ovalle and Lindsey Mohammed) defeated New Haven’s Betsy Ross in the inaugural Twin City Classic Tournament held at Yale University. Central High School (Ezequiel Fontan and Chunjang Bruynder) was the runners up in the varsity division. The topic for the debate was immigration reform.
2018 Winners
Tournament Results January 8, 2020
Tournament Results Dec.18, 2018
Magnet Cup
- Geraldine Claytor (Clemintine Gnoto and Iris Stephanie Rivera) defeated Discovery Magnet (Aldin Medunjanin and Thomas Donnelly) in the inaugural Magnet Cup Tournament. The topic was education.
Tournament Results Dec. 15, 2018
- 32 teams competed in the season’s second tournament. The topic was technology.
Tournament Results Nov.10, 2018
- 36 teams competed in the season opening tournament. The topic was education.
Past News
January 8, 2020
Congratulations to Abraham Lima and Dylan Padua of Discovery Magnet, winners of the second annual Magnet Cup Tournament. Runners up were Rosa Navarro Pulla and Leah Santos of Multicultural Magnet. Also participating were Park City Magnet and High Horizons.
December 10, 2019
High School debaters from Central and Harding competed in the inaugural Environmental Challenge sponsored by the Discovery Museum and former Mayor and Museum Director Bill Finch. In a very close debate, Hardings’s Zach Billings and Ziona Jackson defeated Central’s Iris Stephanie Rivera and Clementine Gnoto. Also competing were Latonia Fegurson and Larissa Fernandes ( Central) and Massiel Goris and Derrick Ballejo ( Harding).
November 2, 2019
High school debaters from the Bridgeport Public Schools Debate League traveled to Poughkeepsie, NY to participate in the Vassar Invitational Debate Tournament held on the campus of Vassar College. The League’s top speakers were Kenny Pineda (Fairchild Wheeler), Clementine Gnoto (Central Magnet) and Iris Stephanie Rivera (Central Magnet). Also competing were Latonia Ferguson (Central Magnet) Thomas Donnelly (Fairchild Wheeler) Carlos Aguilar (Fairchild Wheeler) Anna Ovalle (Fairchild Wheeler).
October 15, 2019
Congratulations to Fairchild Wheeler’s Kenny Pineda and Roberto Hernandez and Cesar Batalla’s Atila Rivero and Melissa Jaco winners of the 2019 Hispanic Heritage.
Runners-up were Central Magnet’s Iris Stephanie Rivera and Evelyn Saqui-Lima and Discovery/Park City Magnet’s Abraham Lima and Jhilary Garcia.
September 28, 2019
Congratulations to Discovery Magnet’s Abraham Lima and Jason Velasco who took first place in the finals of the inaugural Superintendents’ Cup, novice division.
In the varsity division, Fairchild Wheeler’s Annaliese Ovalle and Thomas Donnelly took the runners-up spot.
May 20, 2019
Congratulations to Betsy Ross’ Gihon Mack and Jayla Anderson, winners of the 2019 Bridgeport Public Schools Debate League Championship. Runners-up were Discovery Magnet’s Abraham Lima and Nataly Valencia.
Also competing in the championship round were Genesis Bendolph and Laila Kelly- Walker from Betsy Ross and Aldin Medunjanin and Thomas Donnelly from Discovery Magnet.
Best Speaker Medals were awarded to:
- 1st Place Ruth Morgan (Park City Magnet)
- 2nd Place Abraham Lima (Discovery Magnet)
- 3rd Place Gihon Mack (Betsy Ross)
May 6, 2019
Congratulations to Cesar Batalla’s Joaquin Chunga and Atila Rivero and Geraldine Claytor’s Evelyn Saqui-Lima and Iris Stephanie Rivera winners of the 2019 Hispanic Heritage Debate. Runners- up were Multicultural Magnet’s Sofia Atehortua and Rosa Navarro Pulla and Park City Magnet’s Ciara Feliciano and Daniela Aguero.
May 1, 2019
Congratulations to Discovery Magnet’s Aldin Medunjanin and Thomas Donnelly winners of the 2nd annual Greater Bridgeport Bar Association’s Law Day Debate. Runner-up were Park City Magnet’s Kelliece Dixon and Ruth Morgan.
March 5, 2019
Forty-three middle and high school debaters travelled to Boston to participate in the Senate Immersion Module (SIM) at the Edward M. Kennedy Institute, where they tapped into their negotiation and debate skills to learn about the legislative process. Using high-touch technology on tablets provided by the Institute, the students work together to create a bill on immigration policy. As part of their trip, the students also enjoyed a visit to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library.
February 27, 2019
Congratulations to Park City Magnet’s Kelliece Dixon and Ruth Morgan and Central High School’s Jada Burgess and Katerina Ruiz, winners of the Third Annual NAACP Douglas-Garrison Debate. Runners-up were Discovery Magnet’s: Thomas Donnelly and Aldin Medunjanin and Fairchild Wheeler’s Heer Thakkar and Kenny Pineda. The debates centered on controlling gun violence and terrorist groups.
January 25, 2019
Congratulations to Jettie S Tisdale students Annaliese Ovalle and Lindsey Mohammed winners of the 2019 Twin City Classic Tournament. Congratulations as well to Central High School students Chunjang Brynder and Ezequiel Fontan who took second place in the varsity division of the Twin City Classic.
December 18, 2018
Congratulations to Clementine Gnoto and Iris Stephanie Rivera of Geraldine Claytor Magnet Academy winners of the Bridgeport Public Schools Magnet Cup. Runners up were Aldin Medunjanin and Thomas Donnelly of Discovery Magnet. Also participating were Park City Magnet and High Horizons.
October 13, 2018
The Bridgeport Public Schools Debate League will be kicking off the year with an Orientation Workshop on Oct. 13 from 9:00-11:00 at Claytor Magnet Academy 240 Ocean Terr Bridgeport, CT 06650. In addition to a mock debate, we will have sessions for judges, coaches and students.