October 30, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Harmon Team Places First in DEBATE KC Tournament

A team from J.C. Harmon High School "stole the show" with a first place finish in the recent DEBATE-Kansas City tournament held at Central High School in Kansas City, Mo.

Sally Hernandez and Jalisa Jackson, both sophomores, took the top award in the open division of policy debate during the weeknight tournament held Oct. 16. The team originally entered as novices, but in an odd twist of fate they were forced to jump division, moving up to the open division. And they ended up champions. Harmon Debate Coach Don Stebbins was "ecstatic" about the win.

"In addition to winning this first league tournament, our students had taken part in an added tournament the week before — investing their time to do so on a Friday night, and on a Saturday. The event was across town and coaches, parents and students drove to it themselves," Stebbins. "To have the Harmon students then win the season-opening event was a testament not only to one team of great new KCK debaters, but also to the whole group for their willingness to go the extra mile."

A total of 12 schools attended the tournament with nearly 100 students competing. Stebbins said his Harmon debaters will compete in at least four more tournaments scheduled this fall and next spring.

"Debate is truly a high school sport for all intents and purposes, and students of any variety can compete in it and gain great benefit by doing so," Stebbins said.

For a full list of results from the tournament, log onto www.debatekansascity.org.