Hackley Hosts HSPDP Debate Championship, Finishes Second Overall

Hackley School

For the second consecutive year, Hackley hosted the HSPDP Championship on Saturday, April 18, for the season’s culminating debate tournament. Hornets rose to the occasion, finishing second overall with 14 total wins. Individually, Hackley placed eight debaters among the top 25 speakers out of more than 130 competitors.

The group was led by the freshman, sophomore and junior team of Rohan Monday, Zaira Sammi and co-captain Lilly Rosenthal, who went 4-0 in preliminary rounds to qualify for the Round 5 championship debate. They lost the final round in a tightly contested decision.

Hackley also had two other junior teams turn in excellent 3-1 performances: co-captain Nico Kim and Charlie Napach; and Theo Anderson, Max Michael and Zack Reinmann. Hackley also finished second overall with 14 total wins.

Individually, Hackley placed eight debaters among the top 25 speakers out of more than 130 competitors, led by Nico, who finished as the tournament’s top speaker, earning the first gavel of his career. Also placing in the top 25 were Theo Anderson '27 (7th), Zaira Sammi '28 (9th), Rohan Monday '29 (10th), Norah Mott '29 (13th), Charlie Napach '27 (20th), Jordan Silverman '29 (24th) and Leena Sheikh '29 (25th).

Additional congratulations should be extended to all the debaters, including James C. '30, Kubrick Croce '28, Jackson Finkler '29, Brandon Gaviria '29, Sofia Iaderosa '28, Ryan L. '30, Sophie P. '30, Jack Wilkins '28 and Teddy Wang '27 for their contributions to Hackley’s strong overall finish. Enormous thanks as well to the judges, volunteers and Hackley staff who made it possible to host the championship for a second straight year. It was a wonderful way to close the season and a proud day for the program.