Dear Wellington Debate Classes of 2025, 2026, 2027, and 2028, and their parents and guardians:

Thank you to everyone who attended our end-of-the-year Wellington Speech & DeBanquet last night – roughly 85 students, parents, and guests were i attendance at the Wanderers Club (including my mother, Adele Band, who loves hearing about all of the students’ successes). It was wonderful to meet with and talk with you on such a wonderful occasion!

An AMAZING “THANK YOU” to Sue Ann McDaniel and Michelle Gardner, for helping to organize the banquet this year. From setting up the centerpieces and tables to decorating the banquet hall with a “Wellys” awards theme, they helped make the evening wonderful for everyone. I am blessed to have their support and appreciate everything they have done.

The evening was a wonderful success, and I will miss all of the seniors who were both present and unable to be in attendance. There were plenty of laughs, a few tears, a ton of stories  I VAGUELY remember, a few stories I definitely DID NOT recall (I’m pleading the fifth), and numerous outstanding Kodak moments.

I hope the seniors enjoy the various gifts they received – honor cords, NSDA certificates, letters, and bars; the 40-oz. Wellington Speech & Debate tumblers; and the array of office supplies (including a white board for their dorms or apartments).

On a personal note, and on behalf of assistant coach Kristie Taylor, I especially offer my sincere gratitude for the kind words directed our way, and the gifts we received from the seniors. I cannot wait to see Ms. Taylor at a tournament wearing her Wicked hat (that phrase can be interpreted multiple ways), and I am wearing my personalized Detroit Lions #25 jersey in class today.

As a sidebar to the seniors: if you wish to donate trophies to the debate room, we would be honored to display them for future debaters to drool over.

Congratulations to the Class of 2025 – you are definitely a special group, and will be missed dearly!