ERHS Debate Students Win at State

Two students from East Ridge High School (ERHS) made history at the Debate State Tournament this month, winning the state championship in Public Forum and earning top marks for both strategy and presentation. The winning duo, seniors Yashas Singh and Jiseung (Jason) Jung, competed against teams from across Minnesota, advancing through a competitive bracket to take home first place.

According to coaches, the team’s success was the result of months of research, practice rounds and collaboration.

“What impresses me most about Yashas and Jason is their sustained excellence under pressure,” said ERHS Debate Coach Tammy Trout-McIntyre. “They’ve spent 4 years consistently performing at a high level against the toughest competition in Minnesota and they do it with a level of composure, competitive fire and calm, controlled focus.” 

Debate helps students build skills that reach far beyond the competition floor, including public speaking, research, critical thinking and collaboration. 

“Participating in debate has helped me grow my research skills,” said Yashas. “Diving deep into topics for debate has helped me in my school work and will continue to prove helpful in future careers.”

“We text each other messages of support and help brush up on research topics,” says Jason. “The whole team helps each other improve and every win feels like a team effort.”

“Jason and Yashas excel at adapting their communication style to match their audience,” says ERHS Debate Coach Katie Scholz. “I am so proud of how much they've grown in the last four years, they're extraordinary young men.”

Jason and Yashas’s accomplishment reflects a strong year for the ERHS debate team and highlights the dedication of both students and coaches. Congratulations!