Congratulations to the Pell City Debate Teams for representing our school & community with the utmost class, dignity, honor and respect. The Pell City High School and Junior High Debate Teams competed in the Birmingham Area Debate League Tournament on Tuesday, March 20, at Samford University.

The Pell City High School Debate Team is under the supervision of Ms. Rachael Tawbush from Pell City High School, which is under the administration of Dr. Tony Dowdy. The PCHS Debate Team is currently in its eleventh year and has 14 members. The members are as follows: Malea Benjamin (Sophomore), De’Onta Bush (Sophomore), Laura Beth Dillard (Freshman), Paige Edwards (Sophomore), Julie Foshee (Senior, President), Jacob Hazelwood (Senior, President), Jonathan Kay (Junior), Kylie McMichen (Sophomore), Jasmine Ramsey (Senior, Vice President), Stacy Ross (Sophomore), Chase Spears (Junior), Josh Warren (Senior, Vice President), Ben Willingham (Senior) and Joelle Woggerman (Junior).

Over the course of the debate season, the high school team defeated opponents from Gardendale, Homewood, Shelby Crossings, Corner, Minor, McAdory, Pleasant Grove, and Hewitt-Trussville High Schools to take home the ranking of #1 in the Birmingham Area Debate League for the high school division for the season. They also had two students rank in the Top Ten Individual Speakers for the entire Birmingham Area Debate League, which were as follows: Ben Willingham in 2nd place and Josh Warren in 6th place.

The Pell City Junior High Debate Team is under the supervision of Schorette Emerich from Duran North and Duran South Junior High Schools, which is under the administration of Richard Garris and Dr. Cory O’Neil respectively. 

The PCJH Debate Team is currently in its third year and has 14 members. The members are as follows: Porter Brasher (8th), Malin Cain (7th), Allison Capps (7th, Vice President), Tripp Carder (7th), Haley Cline (8th), Louise England (7th), Jakob Jackson (8th), Macy Kreitlein (8th, President), Emily Masters (8th), Taylor Melvin (8th), Jauston Payne (7th), J’Kaylan Swain (8th), Teyah Washington (7th), and Brittne Wiley (7th).

Over the course of the debate season, the junior high school team defeated opponents from Jefferson County International Baccalaureate, McAdory, Homewood, Chelsea, Irondale, Minor, Clay-Chalkville, Thompson, North Jefferson, Brewbaker, Hueytown, and Bragg Middle schools to take home the ranking of #3 in the Birmingham Area Debate League for the junior high school division for the season. We also had a student rank in the Top Ten Individual Speakers for the entire Birmingham Area Debate League, which was Macy Kreitlin in 8th place.

The Pell City Board of Education also recognized the Pell City Debate Teams on Tuesday, May 15. Congratulations again to both of these outstanding debate teams for representing our school and community with the utmost class, dignity, honor and respect!