Parker Students Compete in Debate Nationals

Recent Parker School graduate Jesse Tarnas and soon to be senior Tyler McCullough traveled to compete in the National Forensic League National Tournament June 11-15 in Indianapolis, Indiana. 

Tarnas and McCullough both made it through six rounds in the Lincoln-Douglas Category, Tarnas through six rounds in Supplemental Debate, and McCullough through 3 rounds of Supplemental Debate.

Parker School debate coach and headmaster Carl Sturges, who accompanied the two students to the nationals, said, “I’m really excited about how competitive our kids were against the best debaters in the nation. It was a great experience for my junior so that he can come back next year and really have a leg up on the season, and it was great for my senior who intends to do debate in college. So all in all it was a great trip. I learned a lot from the rounds that I judged and it was nice to be back. I hadn’t been to a national tournament in 24 years so it was nice to be able to go back.”

“The trip was very fun and made me realize how special the debate team at Parker school really is,” said Tarnas. “I feel very lucky to have been part of a team that is so comfortable and supportive of each other, both of which are qualities abnormal of the average debate team but essential for happiness and success in the real world.” 

Parker students Tyler McCullough (left) and Jesse Tarnas (right) stand with their debate coach and headmaster Dr. Carl Sturges (center) at the National Forensic League National Tournament in Indianapolis, Indiana.