At the start of summer, nine Upper School students participated in the National Speech & Debate Tournament in Richmond, Virginia, competing against 7,796 entries from 50 states, nine countries, and 1,242 schools. For the third consecutive year, Westridge won a team award—School of Honor in Debate, an accolade given to only 20 of the top participating schools.

Congratulations to the team! Cherry Z. '28, who took 15th place in the Senate congressional debate category, is the school's first finalist in the category and the fifth national finalist in Westridge history.

Cheers are also in order for our Upper School and Middle School crew who competed at the California State Championship and Middle School State Championship, respectively. Shout out to Katherine D. '28, who became the school's first state champion in the Lincoln-Douglas Debate category, and to our Middle School champions in their respective categories: Madison B. '31, Stella W. '31, and duo Queenie Z. and Michelle L. '30.

Go Tigers!

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The nationals and state championship placings were as follows:

National Speech & Debate Tournament (the largest speech & debate event of the season, this year held in Richmond, Virginia, with 1,242 participating schools and 7,796 entries from 50 states and nine countries)
Westridge earned the School of Honor in Debate, an award given only to 20 of the top participating schools

• Cherry Z. ’28 - Senate Congressional Debate: 15th Place (Cherry is the school's first finalist in the category, and the fifth national finalist in Tiger history!)
• Claire F. ’28 - Informative Speaking: Top 24 (Quarterfinalist)
• Sienna W. ‘28 - Original Oratory: Top 24 (Quarterfinalist)
• Katherine D. '28 - Lincoln Douglas Debate: Top 60 (Triple Octo Finalist)
• Lillian P. '29 - Expository Speaking: Top 30 (Quaterfinalist)
• Katherine D. '28 - Impromptu Speaking: Top 200 (Triple Octo Finalist) 

California State Championship (the state championship held in Union City with 180 schools and 1,022 entries—Westridge had five qualifiers)
Westridge was named 6th place overall! 

• Katherine D. '28 - Lincoln Douglas Debate: State Champion! (Katherine is the first state champion in Lincoln Douglas debate in Tiger history!)
• Sienna W. ‘28 - Original Oratory: 5th Place
• Cherry Z. ’28 - Senate Congressional Debate: 6th Place
• Lucy H. '28 - Impromptu Speaking: Top 18 (Semifinalist)

Middle School State Championship (this highly competitive, online showcase included 63 schools and 597 entries)

• Stella W. '31 - Informative Speaking: 1st Place (Champion!)
• Madison B. '31 - Storytelling: 1st Place (Champion!)
• Queenie Z. & Michelle L. '30 - Duo Interpretation: 1st Place (Champions!)
• Madison B. '31 - Dramatic Interpretation: 1st Place (Champion!)
• Gwen Z. & Skylim C. '30 - Duo Interpretation: 2nd Place
• Madison W. & Maliha R. '30 - Duo Interpretation: 3rd Place
• Vivienne P. & Sofia M. '30 - Duo Interpretation: 6th Place
• Emily Z. '31 - Informative Speaking: 4th Place
• Jasmine C. '30 - Informative Speaking: 7th Place
• Madison W. '30 - Original Oratory: Semifinalist
• Queenie Z. '30 - Informative Speaking: Semifinalist
• Joy C. '30 - Informative Speaking: Semifinalist
• Rachel Y. '31 - Declamation: Semifinalist
• Joy C. '30 - Congressional Debate: Semifinalist
• Celina W. '31 - Congressional Debate: Semifinalist
• Stella W. '31 - Impromptu Speaking: Quarterfinalist
• Rokia C. & Zoe S. '31 - Public Forum Debate: Double Octo Finalists