In Dramatic Performance, Genesis Cabrera took home second place, while Chloe Wijngaarde went 3-1 and placed sixth in her first-ever Lincoln-Douglas Debate competition.

In Novice Congressional Debate, Karyna Agababian, Mataya Newton-Denila, and Peter Abraham each took fourth place in their respective chambers, while Gio Cyril placed fifth and Sam Yue took sixth.

In Varsity Congressional Debate, Leonardo Fernandez Castillo and Riley Hidalgo-Gato each placed fourth, and Richard Tanton placed fifth.

Caden Sahlberg, Jackson Platt, Alice Arteaga, Ashley Toole, and Lara Terragno each took home Chamber’s Choice Presiding Officer gavels.

As part of this distinction, Carolina was allowed to select the secondary school teacher who significantly influenced her academic development. Carolina selected Wellington Debate Coach Paul Gaba for this recognition, and the all-expense-paid celebration took place in Ithaca, NY.

A total of 31 members of the Cornell Class of 2026, plus their chosen educators, as well as their chosen Cornell faculty advisors, were recognized.

Part of the honor includes a $4,000 scholarship in Coach Gaba’s name for a future Cornell student from Wellington or the Wellington area with financial need.

It was an amazing 24-hour-long period, and Coach Gaba was extremely humbled by the recognition.

Izzy Parissos became the first-ever Wellington Speech & Debate Team competitor to advance to the final round in multiple events at a state championship tournament, placing in the Top 6 in the state in both Humorous Interpretation and After Dinner Speaking.

Jazzlyn Capellan advanced to the quarterfinal round in Original Oratory.

In Congressional Debate, three students – Leonardo Fernandez Castillo, Riley Hidalgo-Gato, and Aliah Oliva – represented the Red Dawn Debaters in semifinals. In addition, Wellington legislators took home more Presiding Officer gavels than any other school at the tournament, with five. Taking home gavels were Leonardo Fernandez Castillo, Riley Hidalgo-Gato, Aliah Oliva, Elisa Syla, and Richard Tanton.

Izzy Parissos and Jazzlyn Capellan each took home two trophies. Parissos placed third in Dramatic Performance and fourth in Impromptu Speaking, while Capellan finished second in Program Oral Interpretation and fourth in Original Oratory.

In Oral Interpretation of Literature, Genesis Cabrera placed third and Gwen Brazzale fourth.

In Congressional Debate, both Leonardo Fernandez Castillo and Riley Hidalgo-Gato placed second in their chambers. Richard Tanton finished fourth, and Tehila Azulay fifth. Wellington legislators took home four Chamber’s Choice Presiding Officer gavels as well – Fernandez Castillo, Hidalgo-Gato, Gilberto Quintanilla Chapa, and Caden Sahlberg.

Wellington earned seven new National Speech & Debate Association degrees, including four new members of the largest public speaking honor society in the nation. Earning the Degree of Distinction (250+ points) were Brazzale and Cappelan, while Robert Haid earned his Degree of Honor (75+). Earning the Degree of Merit membership (25+) were Kalinah Medina, Isabella Otero, Maddox Pena, and Krishna Yarlagadda.

The Saturday, January 17, competition at Martin County High School saw nine Red Dawn Debaters earn accolades.

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.

A coach’s first Diamond is earned when they receive 15,000 points and have been coaching in the NSDA for at least five years since achieving their Degree of Merit, which Gaba earned on November 16, 2000. Five years must pass between each new diamond award, and 15,000 points must be earned to receive a second diamond. An additional 30,000 points must be earned and five years must pass for each additional diamond.

Since 1925, the NSDA has been recognizing student and coach achievements in speech and debate. The Diamond Coach Award is one of the highest honors a coach can achieve as a part of the league.