ALACHUA COUNTY, FL (352today.com) – Last week, Lincoln Middle School eighth-grader Avinoor Jutla was named the Overall Middle School Tournament Champion at The Great Debate National Civics and Debate Championship in Orlando. Several other Alachua County Public Schools students also earned honors at the event, which drew more than 600 competitors from Florida and 14 other states.
In the middle school competition, six ACPS students from Lincoln, Oak View and Kanapaha Middle Schools earned nine awards across three categories, including Extemporaneous Debate, Impromptu Speaking and Legislative Debate. At the high school level, five ACPS students from Newberry, Eastside, Gainesville and Santa Fe High brought home six awards in Varsity Impromptu Speaking and Varsity Legislative Debate.
Jutla, who was an award-winner in three middle school categories, is coached by Marna Weston, who has coached several students to victory in speech and debate competitions in recent years, including the 2024 National Civics and Debate Champion. Weston has himself earned state and national recognition for his work.
“This accomplishment reflects Avinoor’s hard work, discipline and passion for civic engagement,” said Weston. “It’s incredibly rewarding to see students grow into confident thinkers and speakers on a national stage.”
ACPS awards winners
Middle School:
- Overall Tournament Champion: Avinoor Jutla, Lincoln Middle School
- Extemporaneous Debate: Avinoor Jutla, Lincoln Middle School, 6th place
- Maria Eder, Oak View Middle School, Finalist
- Impromptu Speaking: Avinoor Jutla, Lincoln Middle School, 2nd place
- Ellington Smith, Oak View Middle School, 3rd place
- Sarah Khial, Kanapaha Middle School, Finalist
- Legislative Debate: Maggie Castle, Oak View Middle School, 5th place
- Quinn Baker, Oak View Middle School, finalist
- Avinoor Jutla, Lincoln Middle School, finalist
- Sarah Khial, Kanapaha Middle School, finalist
High School:
- Varsity Impromptu Speaking: Audrey Ellenburg, Newberry High School, 5th place
- Tanvi Gawande, Eastside High School, finalist
- Gillian Collins, Gainesville High School, finalist
- Arlo Sawicki, Gainesville High School, finalist
- Varsity Legislative Debate: Gillian Collins, Gainesville High School, 5th place
- Steph Slavei, Santa Fe High School, finalist