Matthew Harris Ornstein Award Winner: Symon Goldblatt, Banneker

Symon told me that his first memories of debate camp is in an online lab during COVID as a 6th grader run by alum Ernest Ntangu in his first year teaching. Ernest is well out of school into his professional career in New York, but that lab set Symon on a path to be the only person (so far, Louise @ Eliot Hine is likely to tie him this coming year) to qualify to MS Nationals 3 years in a row representing Oyster Adams, before a long and often award winning career at Banneker.
WUDL has plenty of accomplished debaters, however, and Symon stood out to our staff for a few reasons: 

Symon was on time every day, and engaged with every lecture and activity, answering questions and demonstrating both intellectual curiosity and intellectual courage. He wasn’t afraid to be wrong, and set a good example of our lab norms. 

He was a leader in group work, partnering with less experienced debaters and helping them improve. He also showed kindness, going out of his way to support “opponents” and remembering that our practices were learning opportunities, not just competitive. 

He also rapidly engaged and adopted feedback, showing improvement hour to hour between rounds and speeches. 

Keoni Scott-Reid Outstanding Instructor Award: Niko Sims, University of North Texas

Niko started coaching with MHOSDI during COVID, a voice from the ether trying to keep students engaged during trying months. Since then, he’s led labs of every level, from beginners to our most advanced labs. This year, he took the Transition to Varsity Lab, and put the fast in fast track, helping folks get ready for the toughest debates and most complex ideas that debate can offer. 

This year, Niko brought some of his college debaters to augment our staff – Ronen and Emanuel were great additions who understood the philosophy of our program. He’s leaving with another, Alum Alex Montgomery, who was in his lab a few years back. 

Beyond his lab, he is a huge team player, serving food, making sure students get picked up safely, and all the other little things that make summer camp a big success.

Outstanding Novice: Monroe Woods, Benjamin Foulois

Rookie: 

1. Sophie / Oyindasola (BASIS DC / Walker Mill)
2. Graham / Jack (Stuart Hobson / Oyster Adams)
3. Hsu / Ziya (John Francis Education Campus)
4. Josephine / Noire (Latin Cooper / DCI)
5. Michael / Chala (Hardy / JFEC)
6. Jonas / Kayden (Jefferson Houston / Stuart Hobson)
7. Emma / Mackenzie (DCI / CMIT South)
8. Langston / Caleb (DCI / Kettering)
9. Ava / Molly (Dora Kennedy / DCI)
10. Monroe / Campbell (Benjamin Foulois / Latin Cooper)

Shoutouts: 

Lezah – Little sibling, 11th place, 4th Speaker

Novice: 

1. Shane / Garrett (Banneker / Bowie)
2. Jackson / Ewaenoghosa / Seneca Valley / CMIT South)
3. Doren / Xeyani (DCI / Duke)
4. Jameelah / Meklit (Goddard / Walls)
5. Gustavo / Brayden (DCI / Frederick Douglas)
6. Grace / Cameron (Benjamin Tasker / Walls)
7. Vaughn / Theodore (Capitol Hill Montessori / BASIS DC)
8. Geo / Tegan (Latin Cooper / DCI)
9. Marlene / Julian (Northwestern / Phelps)
10. Michael / Vona (Wheaton)

Junior Varsity:

1. Fares / Sasha (Alexandria) 
2. Conor / Alyaan (Seneca Valley) 
3. Mahdi / Huck (Hardy / Stuart Hobson)
4. Xavier / Yakin (DCI / Walls)
5. Priyanka / Tasnia (Alexandria) 
6. Daniel / Kasey (CHEC)
7. Louisa / Gaby (Eliot Hine)
8. Braxton / Evan (CPA / Stuart Hobson)
9. Nicoloz / Gavin (JFEC)
10. Mary / Flora (DuVal / Thompson)

Shout out: Kingston (4th Speaker), Kris (AHS, 8th Speaker)

Varsity:

1. Jack / Margaret (BASIS DC)
2. Marshall / Victoria (Banneker / Duke)
3. Rohan / Symon (Banneker)
4. Simone / Amelia (Banneker)
5. Claudia / Isabelle (DCI / Thompson)
6. Eliza / Louisa (Eliot Hine
7. Robyn / Theo (KIPP  Shaw / Eastern) 
8. Ella / Addie (DCI)
9. Zeve / Alexander (Walls)
10. Harold / Shaan (Walls)