Grady High School Jesters Win Debate Championship

ATLANTA, GA -- Henry W. Grady High School Jesters speech and debate team won its seventh consecutive championship at the Georgia Forensics Coaches Association Speech and Debate Varsity Championships.

The debate championship was held March 4-5 at Northview High School in Johns Creek.

In addition to being crowned Speech, Debate and Overall Sweepstakes winner, the Grady team received the President’s Cup for Excellence in Speech and Debate, as well as the Ted Wolfe Award for qualifying the most entries for schools of 1,000-1,500 students.

Debate coach Mario Herrera said his students’ hard work and commitment paid off.

He noted that several team members attend as many as 18-22 tournaments each year, with some seniors participating in over 50 competitions by the end of their high school career.

“Speech and debate is not an activity for the weak-hearted,” Herrera said. “For most of the students who qualify for the state tournament, they put in hours of practice during the week and then compete on weekends. Tournaments mean leaving at 6:30 a.m. and returning at 11 p.m.

"The students work smart and consistently, and they have fun and make friends with other teams from all over the state and the country."