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Bellaire High School Sweeps Texas Forensic Association’s State Debate Tournament
Jake Sylvester and James Fang

(From left) partners Jake Sylvester and James Fang, both juniors, prepare for the first day of competition in policy debate. 

Marina Finley

Marina Finley prepares for her preliminary round in Congressional debate. 

Aaron Birenbaum and James Fang

Senior Aaron Birenbaum gives some useful advice to junior James Fang.

Bellaire High School debate team

On the second day of competition, several BHS debaters were proudly sporting cardinal red! (From left) Amber Liu (junior), Liana Wang (junior), Marina Finley (senior), George Zhang (junior), Allan Ngo (junior), Anu Narayanan (senior). 

Eric Bailey and Marina Finley

Senior Eric Bailey and Marina Finley discuss arguments to use on specific pieces of legislation in their next round.

Aaron Birenbaum, Narain Reddy, Suneal Vemuri

(From left) Aaron Birenbaum (senior), Narain Reddy (senior) and Suneal Vemuri (junior) all advanced to double-octofinals in policy debate. 

 

After three exhausting days of competition in El Paso and two long plane flights, Bellaire returned from the “TFA” State Debate Tournament victorious. In the lead was senior Eric Bailey, who took home the state championship in Congressional Debate; Marina Finley, also a senior Congressional debater, placed a close 3rd. In the “Senate,” Matthew Tabibzadaegan (nicknamed Arman), advanced to semifinals.

In public forum, partners Amber Liu and Allan Ngo, both juniors, and George Zhang and Bowen Song, a junior-sophomore team, advanced to double-octofinalists. Allan’s persuasive speaking skills earned him recognition as the 1st Place Speaker at the tournament, receiving several perfect scores from his judges in preliminary rounds.

In policy or cross-examination debate, my partner senior Aaron Birenbaum and I, as well as the other senior-junior team of Narain Reddy and Suneal Vemuri, also advanced to double-octos.

We’d like to give a huge thank you to our coaches, Mr. Jay Stubbs and Mr. Kyle Bean – and of course, the rest of the squad for their unwavering support. 

Jake Sylvester and James Fang

(From left) partners Jake Sylvester and James Fang, both juniors, prepare for the first day of competition in policy debate. 

Marina Finley

Marina Finley prepares for her preliminary round in Congressional debate. 

Aaron Birenbaum and James Fang

Senior Aaron Birenbaum gives some useful advice to junior James Fang.

Bellaire High School debate team

On the second day of competition, several BHS debaters were proudly sporting cardinal red! (From left) Amber Liu (junior), Liana Wang (junior), Marina Finley (senior), George Zhang (junior), Allan Ngo (junior), Anu Narayanan (senior). 

Eric Bailey and Marina Finley

Senior Eric Bailey and Marina Finley discuss arguments to use on specific pieces of legislation in their next round.

Aaron Birenbaum, Narain Reddy, Suneal Vemuri

(From left) Aaron Birenbaum (senior), Narain Reddy (senior) and Suneal Vemuri (junior) all advanced to double-octofinals in policy debate.