Honoring and congratulating Champions of the Week, the Julia R. Masterman Laboratory and Demonstration School's Debate Team, on their success in the 48th University of Pennsylvania Debate Tournament.

WHEREAS, The debate team, one of few teams representing Philadelphia School District, took home the top prize at the annual competition; and

WHEREAS, The competition’s typical victors are typically wealthier suburban public and private schools; and

WHEREAS, Masterman Debate’s victory is doubly impressive as the team has been without a coach and funding. The team is currently raising funds independently from the school and the school district through online donations; and

WHEREAS, Henry Anastasi and Joshua Cohen were the winning debaters in the competition, placing first in the varsity public forum division, allowing Masterman to take home a trophy; and

WHEREAS, While a teacher has stepped in to oversee some team operations, their efforts leading up to the competition were entirely unaided. Masterman debaters do all of the teams’ necessary preparatory work, such as organizing competition logistics and travel accommodations; and

WHEREAS, Typically, debate coaches and teacher supervisors provide debaters with prepared topics and research. Masterman debaters had to do all of the research themselves; and

WHEREAS, Masterman is among only two Philadelphia School District schools with debate teams competing on the national level; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby congratulate and honor the Champions of the Week, the Julia R. Masterman Laboratory and Demonstration School’s Debate Team, on their success in the 48th University of Pennsylvania Tournament.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an engrossed copy be presented to the Julia R. Masterman Laboratory and Demonstration School’s Debate Team, further evidencing the sincere admiration and respect of this legislative body.

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