By: Dr. Norma Martinez, Goose Creek CISD Director of Communications
Students concurrently enrolled in dual credit programs at IMPACT Early College High School and Lee College made a strong impression during their debut at their tournament appearance of the season. The Lee College Debate Team emerged triumphantly from the 2023 Abilene Christian University "Joseph J. Cardot Invitational" held on October 19-22, securing team and individual championships. This event featured a competitive roster of regional programs, including Abilene Christian University, Texas Tech University, Southern Methodist University, Texas Christian University, and more.
FRONT (L-R): Elias Perry, Carlos Reyes, Nathan Mustapha, Emma Jaramillo, Caris Gray, Riyanna Kennedy, Priscilla Guerra
BACK (L-R): Diego Moreno, Jovani Arellano, Rachel Currie, Madison Hall, Ruben Castillo, Adrian Alvarado, Kimberly Truong, Jerry McCauley, Rebecca Currie. Photo by Joe Ganakos, Lee College.
The debaters were crowned Overall Sweepstakes Community College Champions and secured a 4th place overall ranking. A second-year debater, Emma Jaramillo clinched the Junior Varsity Debate Champion title. The debate team excelled across various divisions, earning team awards for 2nd Place in Individual Debate Sweepstakes and 3rd Place in Team Debate Sweepstakes.
2023 ACU “Cardot Invitational” Junior Varsity Division Debate Champion Emma Jaramillo. Photo by Joe Ganakos, Lee College.
The Joseph D. Mendoza Debate Society was founded in 2013 and is directed by Joe Ganakos and Assistant Coaches Rigo Ruiz and Ethan Arbuckle. Although membership in the Debate Society is accessible to all students who meet the criteria, being a part of the Debate Team is determined through tryouts or recruitment by the Debate Coach. For more details about the Debate Team, please contact Joe Ganakos at jganakos@lee.edu or (281) 425-6502.