Albuquerque Academy recently hosted the New Mexico District National Qualifier for Speech and Debate. Thirteen Academy students competed for the chance to represent New Mexico at the 2023 NSDA National Championship, held in Mesa/Phoenix in June.
As a whole, eight participating students qualified for nationals. Students qualified in more than half of the events they were entered in, securing qualifying spots in every single debate event that the team competes in.
Results
The following 13 students participated in the district tournament this year:
- 12th Grade — Sydney Weber ’23
- 11th Grade — Leo Crowley ’24, Ashna Singh ’24, Thomas Wray ’24
- 10th Grade — Meryem Anderoglu ’25, Abbott Carothers ’25, Sara Chehy ’25, Darin Eberhardt ’25, Dhruv Grandhe ’25, Elizabeth Hiller ’25, Gabby Sanchez ’25, Ayla Zomermaand ’25
- 9th Grade — Aarush Tutiki ’26
Of that group, the following eight qualifiers will represent Academy at nationals this year:
- Ayla Zomermaand ’25 — International Extemp
- Abbott Carothers ’25 & Elizabeth Hiller ’25 — Public Forum
- Leo Crowley ’24 & Darin Eberhardt ’25 — Policy Debate
- Aarush Tutiki ’26 — Lincoln Douglas Debate
- Ashna Singh ’24 & Thomas Wray ’24 — World Schools Debate
Multiple students came close to qualifying in their main events as well and have secured alternate slots. If one of the qualifying students in an event is unable to attend nationals, these students would potentially move up into that qualifying slot.
- Thomas Wray ’24 — 1st alternate in Program Oral Interp
- Sara Chehy ’25 & Gabby Sanchez ’25 — 3rd alternates in Duo Interp
- Sara Chehy ’25 – 4th alternate in Original Oratory
Special Accolades
The district tournament also serves as a notable end-of-season tournament when the district recognizes numerous individuals for awards earned throughout the year. The following special accolades earned by our community members:
- Jessica Carothers, parent — NM District Volunteer of the Year
- Sophia Liem ’23 & Noor Ali ’23 — NM District Communicators of the Year
- Albuquerque Academy – District Sweepstakes Award in Debate, notable for the fact that we qualified students in every single debate event!
Read more here.
