Guilford High School's newly formed Debate Team has achieved outstanding results at their first meet - congratulations!

The team formed up this year with founding Coach/Advisors Cindy Cartier (a Guilford Selectman) and GHS Teacher Ralph Russo.

"The interest in debating prompted my forming the team with Ralph Russo, and we have over 12 students as members," said Cartier.

On Nov. 12, GHS entered 4 teams in the Connecticut Debate Association Tournament in Amity, where over 150 students from Connecticut High Schools competed, including more than 30 teams in the Novice Division. The GHS team of Albert Kraus and Zoey Feldman took 4th place and the GHS team of Liam Grace-Flood and John Reagle placed sixth. With their wins, both teams will compete in the State Finals in March.

All of the GHS teams did exceptionally well, said Cartier. Other students competing included Ethan Murray, Zachary Clark, Jimmy Sullivan, John McGowan and Brendan Reagan.

"I was so pleased with the performance of our students...they did exceedingly well in their first meet and are looking forward to the entire debating season," said Cartier.

Fourth-place team member Kraus said the students, who spent weeks preparing for the contest, were excited to have done well and are looking forward to the upcoming meets and competing in the finals.

Sixth-place team member Grace-Flood said the chance to debate is something GHS kids have been waiting for.

"Many of us have wanted to have a debate team at the high school and are glad to have this opportunity to show that we have the skills to be great debaters and public speakers. We know that the efforts we are making on the team will help us in our careers going forward," he said.

The next meet will be Sat., December 10 at Joel Barlowe High School. If anyone interested in participating as a team member or providing support to the team can reach Cartier at (203) 916-2430 or cynthia.cartier@comcast.net.