Southwest Florida Students Set to Compete in Incubate Debate National Championship

Special to Lake Okeechobee News

Posted 1/29/24

On Saturday, Jan. 27, students from Collier, Hendry and Glades counties ...

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Southwest Florida Students Set to Compete in Incubate Debate National Championship

Photo courtesy Incubate Debate

Posted Monday, January 29, 2024 5:47 pm

Special to Lake Okeechobee News

IMMOKALEE -- On Saturday, Jan. 27, students from Collier, Hendry and Glades counties competed at Incubate Debate’s third regional competition of the 2023-2024 school year and the qualifier for Incubate’s National Championship. At the competition middle and high school students debated the merits of Daylight Saving Time, the International Monetary Fund and our decision to drop the atomic bombs on Japan. Students were evaluated by members of the Department of Defense, faith based leaders, as well as professors from Ave Maria University and Florida SouthWestern State College. Incubate’s program manager, Yurit Santos, described Saturday’s debate as, “the most connected and engaging tournament yet.”

A special congratulations to the top students at Saturday’s debate who will be representing the Southwest Region in Incubate’s National Championship: Jadzia Hernandez (Immokalee High School), Emily Batista Torrez (Lely High School), Rosaily Gomez (Corkscrew Middle School), Rylan Wilson, Lauren Wilson, Luke Manley, Samuel Hernandez, Caroline Klepko, Sophia Christodoulou, and Veronica Barbale (Ad Astra Naples).

These 10 students will compete with the top Incubate students from across Florida and South Carolina on April 5th-6th in Jacksonville, Fla., where $15,000 worth of scholarships will be available. A special congratulations to Caroline Klepko of Ad Astra Naples who was awarded the South West "Incubator of the Year" nomination for her commitment to creating a comfortable and caring environment for all fellow debaters. She acted not only as a friend but as a true role model for the many students that she competed alongside in the Southwest region.

Similarly, Myra Peric of Corkscrew Middle School was awarded the “Coach of the Year” nomination. Her consistent stride in making her students work as hard as possible to achieve the goals they set for themselves is something that can only be described as genuine love and passion!

If students or schools are interested in participating in Incubate Debate’s summer activities or next school year’s tournaments, they can learn more at IncubateDebate.org.