Students from six states converge on Augustana for Midwest GD

This year’s Midwest Great Debate brought a select group of students from six different states to Augustana College for the six-day event, July 7-12.

“The Midwest Great Debate was the best and biggest to date,” said program co-Education Director Karla Martinez. “Students enjoyed having the opportunity to engage in a national conversation regarding the Latino community with peers from California and Texas. The dynamic of these three groups could not have been better.”

Winners for the individual events included:

Oratory
1st Place: Melanie Ayala Ceja, Robert F. Kennedy HS, Delano, Calif.
2nd Place: Max Quinto, Omaha Creighton Prep HS, Omaha, Neb.
All-State: Yareli Vera, IDEA College Prep Mission HS, Mission, Tex.

Mock
1st Place: Alandra Sanchez, Robert F. Kennedy HS, Delano, Calif. & Dulce Montano, Robert F. Kennedy HS, Delano, Calif.
2nd Place: Carlos Moran, IDEA College Prep Mission HS, Mission, Tex. & Oscar Bailon, Robert F. Kennedy HS, Delano, Calif.
All-State: Sebastian Frank, James B. Conant HS, Schaumburg, Ill. & Jessica Morales, IDEA College Prep San Benito HS, San Benito, Tex.

Extemp
1st Place: Alicia Camuy, Lyons Township HS, Brookfield, Ill.
2nd Place: Mathew Marroqin, Storm Lake HS, Storm Lake, Iowa
All-State: Araceli Meza, Robert F. Kennedy HS, Delano, Calif.

CX
1st Place: Adali Garcia, Schaumburg HS, Schaumburg, Ill. & Jocelyn Marquez, IDEA College Prep Mission HS, Mission, Tex.
2nd Place: Jaqueline Barrera, Grayslake North HS, Grayslake, Ill. & Amber Rojas, Lyons Township HS, Brookfield, Ill.
All-State: Carlos De La Torre, Argo Community HS, Summit, Ill. & Spirit Healy, Lyons Township HS, Brookfield, Ill.

Chris Pluta Community Guardian Award
Justin Monarrez, Lyons Township HS, Brookfield, Ill.

Estrellita Award
Priscilla Chavez, Argo Community HS, Summit, Ill.