Wellington Speech & Debate started 2026 the way it ended 2025: with an impressive showing at a PBCFL tournament.
The Saturday, January 17, competition at Martin County High School saw nine Red Dawn Debaters earn accolades.
In Oral Interpretation, Genesis Cabrera placed first overall.
In Original Oratory, Jazzlyn Capellan took second.
Quinn Mawhinney placed third in Informative Speaking with her presentation on perhaps the least-Florida topic ever, the sport of Curling.
In Congressional Debate, Richard Tanton placed first in his chamber, while Tehila Azulay placed second. Both Leonardo Fernandez Castillo and Riley Hidalgo-Gato ranked fourth. Placing fifth was Gilberto Quintanilla Chapa, and Mirellah Farias placed sixth. Tanton, Quintanilla Chapa, and Farias each earned Chambers Choice gavels for their roles as presiding officers.
Three students earned advanced National Speech & Debate Association Honor Society degrees. Mawhinney surpassed the 250-point mark, earning the Degree of Distinction. Azulay earned the Degree of Excellence (150+ points), and Farias achieved her Degree of Honor (75+ points). Farias will receive her varsity letter at the spring banquet in a few months.