On their way out of the Democracy Prep Bronx Prep cafeteria, several members of the Speech and Debate team paused at a glass case located in the first-floor lobby. They pointed at medals, plaques, and trophies engraved with honors from universities as close as Hofstra, and as far away as Stanford in California.

Pride could be heard in their voices as they identified which award belonged to who, and paused to remember the day the honor was won, but the moment is over quickly. They were on their way to rehearse for the school play, “Tempest Toss’d” a unique spin on Shakespeare’s classic, The Tempest that was adapted by Sarah “Rosie” Rosenberg, and Luis Cardenas, their Speech and Debate coaches.

Numerous awards have been added to the trophy case since that March day, and on Saturday, June 13, seven scholars headed for the High School Speech and Debate Finals competition in Dallas, Texas.

“The scholars have had an incredible season,” says Cardenas. In addition to the numerous awards they have won at competitions around the country, this summer team member Stephen D. won a summer scholarship to Stanford, and graduating member Milagros P. has accepted a scholarship to St. Joseph’s University.

Join us in cheering them on, as they compete this week in Dallas!