2024 NSDA National

After five days of intense competition, VDA students have returned from Des Moines, USA, to Vancouver. Among 6,700 participants from over 1,500 schools, they showcased exceptional debate skills, intelligence, and resilience.

Congratulations to Brianna and Anthony for reaching the Top 16 in the middle school division! Despite being a new team, they demonstrated great synergy. Brianna was sharp and practiced diligently between rounds, while Anthony, who has grown from a quiet boy into a confident debater, impressed with his transformation.

Jadon and Marcus also made the Top 32 in the middle school division! Jadon, the youngest in the team and just in sixth grade, showed remarkable clarity and eloquence. Marcus, calm and knowledgeable, paired perfectly with Jadon to earn this outstanding result.

Yannie and Hilary were the only two Canadian representatives in the speech category, excelling with just 30 minutes of preparation for each seven-minute speech. Their strong knowledge base and composure were evident throughout the event.

Ardelle & Andy and Annie & Serena were the only Canadian teams qualifying for PF debate. Ardelle and Andy, in 11th grade, stood out with 7 wins, while Annie and Serena, in 10th grade, secured 5 wins. Their enthusiasm for debate continued even on the way back to Vancouver.

This is VDA’s third time at the NSDA Nationals. Competing in such a prestigious tournament is a victory in itself and a great asset for college applications. As one inspiring quote from the awards ceremony said: “Don’t aim to be better than the person next to you. Be better than yourself, your last round, this tournament, and next year. When you compete with yourself, no one can beat you.”

May our students continue to sail toward an even brighter future!