2 / 161 National Presidential Scholar Nominees are from WUDL!

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Bridget Flores (left) with partner Winnie and Capital City's Liv Birnstad last year at the Pennsbury Falcon Invitational preparing for a round

We are excited to share that two WUDL seniors have been nominated as a Presidential Scholar by the National Association of Urban Debate Leagues!

 

Akesh Mallia, co-captain of the School Without Walls Debate Team has debated since the beginning of middle school (at Capital City PCS), and has been a member of the WUDL Travel Team since 2018. He represented the WUDL at I-Resolve DC this fall at the CATO Institute, and the entire league at the Urban Debate National Championship in 2023, where he was an Octo-Finalist.

 

Bridget Flores, President of the Benjamin Banneker debate team, started debating as a junior, and was one of the best 1st year debaters in the region, finishing with numerous awards at regional competitions her first year. She’s preparing to lead WUDL’s Debate En Espanol contingent this spring as well.

 

Only 161 high school seniors across the United States are recognized, making this an incredibly rare and significant honor. Congratulations to Akesh and Bridget on their recognition and for representing the WUDL, and thanks to NAUDL for nominating them!

 

Akesh Mallia speaks at the I-Resolve DC event this fall at the CATO Institute. He represented us at Nationals last year, and will head off to the University of Wisconsin in the fall on a Posse Scholarship