2007-12-04
Senior Fellow Wins the Princeton Invitational
2007 PDI Senior Fellow, Stephanie Caravias, won the Princeton Classic this weekend, November 30-December 2, 2007. Stephanie, who debates for Ridge High School in New Jersey, was declared the Tournament Champion on a 5-2 decision against Marc Wallach of the Collegiate School of New York City.
Stephanie has participated in Lincoln Douglas for the past four years and is debate caption at her school. This summer she participated, along with Lindsay Dolan of the Hockday School, in the Senior Fellow program at PDI. The Senior Fellow program selects top national circuit debaters to work as assistant lab leaders and lecturers, while at the same time, aiding them in preparation for the upcoming debate season and advanced debate strategy. Reflecting on her experience Stephanie noted that "PDI stands out in my mind from previous summer institutes because of its accomplished faculty, small student-to-staff ratio, and true dedication to debate education. Working as a Senior Fellow provided me an invaluable learning opportunity that has contributed significantly to the success I have had this year."
In addition to being named Princeton Champion, Stephanie won the University of Pennsylvania Liberty Bell Classic and Round Robin this October, is the current New Jersey State Champion. As a junior, she placed second at the Catholic Forensics League National Championship last year.
In addition to Stephanie's win, Karlyn Gorski '05-'07 finished in the Top 16, and Alex Koren '06-'07 finished in the Top 32. In the junior varsity division, Graham Albacten finished in 2nd place.
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Perspectives is a Philadelphia-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization promoting youth debate education. Students who debate dramatically increase their reading comprehension, critical thinking, and public speaking skills. In the process, debate becomes a forum to foster youth achievement and civic responsibility. Perspectives has worked with over 400 students in 8 states through afterschool, summer, and special events. www.philadebate.org