FAYETTEVILLE, GA: This past weekend the debate team traveled to Whitewater’s debate tournament and brought home a trophy in almost everything! Sonika Reddy and Iesha White got to Finals in Varsity policy and lost barely to the top team in the state. Kamilah Gray and Trusha Daya reached semifinals in Varsity Policy. Sonika was the 2nd Speaker in the Varsity Division. Also receiving speaker awards in Varsity Policy: Stephanie Miller, Kamilah Gray, Trusha Daya and Iesha White. Sarah Chiles and Melissa Issi-Boube won the Junior Varsity Policy Championship! Sarah was also named the top speaker in the JV division! According to the official rankings in Georgia, The FCHS Policy team has the 4th in the state!
Our speech team also excelled this weekend! Russell Dukes, in his first tournament ever, finished 4th place in Original Oratory. Arif Hosein had a great weekend as well – finishing 3rd Speaker in Student Congress and 6th place in Extemporaneous Speaking.

The students weren’t the only ones getting awards – Fayette County had two coaches receive awards as well. Beverly Kelly won the Mario Herrera Key for Outstanding Coaching. This award goes to coaches that have distinguished themselves in the area of forensic competition. The strength, depth, and size of the coach’s program was the determining factors in the awarding of the key. Tom Swaffer also won an award – the Winfield Scott Star for dedicated Service. This award is awarded to those outside of the coaching community that have provided support for debate programs. Community leaders, parents, and school staff and administration are all eligible to receive this great honor. Tom and Beverly have both provided so much support and help for the debate team – please congratulate them and the winning students from this past weekend when you see them!