Wellington Speech & Debate student legislator Patrick McDermott finished 12th in the state in Congressional Debate at the 2025 Florida Forensic League Open State Championship March 1-2 in Orlando, while three other Red Dawn Debaters – Emma Gardner, Aliah Oliva, and Colten Pride – represented Wellington in semis!
Madison Neltner advanced to semis in Program Oral Interpretation, and the Duo Interpretation team of Diego Calderon and Michael Diaz broke to semis as well!
In addition, Wellington Principal Cara Gorham was honored as 2025 FFL Administrator of the Year!
Wellington earned four new National Speech & Debate Association degrees. Emma Gardner earned her Degree of Outstanding Distinction, surpassing the 1,000-point mark. Richard Tanton passed the 500-point plateau, earning the Degree of Special Distinction. Michael Diaz earned the Degree of Distinction, passing the 250-point mark. And the Degree of Excellence was achieved by Riley Hidalgo-Gato, passing 150 points.