Molloy’s Speech and Debate Team had a busy year, with many Stanners earning distinguished highlights! Coached by Dr. Jonathan Mangar ‘09, Mr. George Reed, and Mr. Ryan Curran ‘22, the team has competed in prestigious tournaments and qualified for various championships.
This year, Molloy officially became a NSDA Member School, specifically under the New York City District. Molloy’s first ever NSDA members are Camila Burga-Alcon ‘25, Joseph Castano-Medina ‘24, Micah Gagarin ‘24, Moises Nunag ‘25, and Lucia Vucetic ‘24. Lucia obtained a bid to the Tournament of Champions, being the first-ever student on the Molloy team that has done this!
This year, Molloy officially became a NSDA Member School, specifically under the New York City District. Molloy’s first ever NSDA members are Camila Burga-Alcon ‘25, Joseph Castano-Medina ‘24, Micah Gagarin ‘24, Moises Nunag ‘25, and Lucia Vucetic ‘24. Lucia obtained a bid to the Tournament of Champions, being the first-ever student on the Molloy team that has done this!
Five students on the 2023-2024 team qualified for the New York State Championships: Camila Burga-Alcon ‘25, Sofia Maroulis ‘25, Moises Nunag ‘25, Anya Satyanarayana ‘27, and James Vanegas-Molina ‘27. Camila and Moises competed in the Intermediate Public Forum, and were one ballot away from advancing to elimination rounds. They were one of the very few teams who qualified and represented Brooklyn-Queens at the tournament. Camila and Moises were also the first ever students to compete in the NSDA District qualifying tournament, being one ballot away from advancing to elimination rounds.
Excitingly, members of this year’s team also competed at the National Catholic Forensic League Tournament in Chicago, Illinois. This was the first ever time the Molloy Speech and Debate Team has ever gone to NCFLs in person, participating online in 2021. Camila Burga-Alcon ‘25, Lilly Kacziba ‘27, Sofia Maroulis ‘25, and Moises Nunag ‘25 competed. Camila and Moises competed in the Public Forum Debate. Enda Connolly ‘27 qualified in Lincoln Douglas Debate, in addition to Lilly and Sofia. The team competed at the Yale Invitational as well, allowing students to experience national-level competition.
Congratulations to this year’s team!