Image Source: Princeton Academy of the Sacred Heart

Eight members of the Speech and Debate Team represented Princeton Academy of the Sacred Heart at the 2023 National Speech and Debate Association (NSDA) National Finals taking place on June 13-16, 2023 in Phoenix and Mesa, Ariz. The NSDA National Tournament is the largest academic competition in the world featuring over 6,000 high school and middle school students representing more than 1,500 schools from across the United States as well as participants from multiple U.S. territories and countries around the world.

Harry C. ’23, Yidrew C. ’24, Justin Z. ’24, and Mathew R. ’25 competed in Congressional Debate. The congressional chambers debated legislation to ban Styrofoam containers, regulate AI, protect interstate telehealth, close foreign military bases, and provide aid to Namibia. Mathew and Yidrew placed in the Top 48 nationally and each had judges vote for them to advance to the National Semifinal Round.

Jeffrey Y. ’23, Jayden L. ’25, Ryan Z. ’25, and Declan S. ’26 competed in speech events. Jeffrey placed in the Top 36 nationally of both Declamation and Informative Speaking. Jayden placed in the Top 48 nationally of both Declamation and Original Oratory. Jeffrey and Jayden also each received first place in one of their preliminary rounds of competition.

The 2023 “Cactus Classic” National Tournament marked the sixth year Princeton Academy students participated in the NSDA National Finals and a return to in-person competition. PASH students competed in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., in 2018, Dallas, Texas, in 2019, and online in 2020, 2021, and 2022.

Princeton Academy of the Sacred Heart is an independent school for boys in Kindergarten through Grade 8. Find more information at www.princetonacademy.org.