Due to the snow-shortened state tournament, the Wisconsin Debate Coaches Association was not able to properly recognize the scholarship recipients. This post is our attempt to celebrate the accomplishments of two outstanding students who would have normally received recognition at the awards ceremony. Please read below about our two scholarship recipients and join us in congratulating them.

Our first scholarship award winner is a champion Varsity Four Person debater and an excellent scholar. This student plans to study Molecular Biology and intends to one day become a professor in the field. It is fitting that he scored a perfect 36 on his ACTs. He is dedicated to educating others - he frequently explains the details of economic analysis to his teammates and coaches. Beyond this, his coach noted his positive, forward-thinking outlook saying, [He] "worked especially hard to qualify for the National Forensic League National Tournament. Sadly, he was named the alternate... He was clearly disappointed, but smiled and shook the hand of the winner... He didn't dwell on the loss; he looked to the future victory." Hopefully, this scholarship will aid your future endeavors.

Congratulations to Matt Holcomb of West Bend!

Our second scholarship award winner has reached elimination rounds of Wisconsin State Debate tournament three times in Public Forum twice and is a member of this year's Public Forum State Championship team. She has twice qualified for NFL Nationals - once in Extemporaneous speaking and once in Student Congress. She is the Vice President of her Debate and Forensic team and spreads the positive attributes about debate across the globe. She has attended debate camps at Stanford University, took debate courses from the University of Wisconsin - Madison, participated in debate competitions for the Health Occupations Students of America, and participated in the international Four Star Debate program in Amman, Jordan with Retired General Tommy Franks. Beyond trekking the globe for debate, she has qualified to the National Tournament of Champions in both Congressional Debate and Public Forum Debate. Her coach writes, [she] "has had huge shoes to fill on a team that graduated state champions, NFL, and TOC qualifiers - including her partner of two years. She has been up to the challenge; orchestrating trips and keeping underclassmen involved in the team."

Congratulations to Michelle Yang of James Madison Memorial!