SEC: TIS Defends Debate Title at November CEESA Speech and Debate Tournament

TIS Defends Debate Title at November CEESA Speech and Debate Tournament

The 2025 CEESA Speech and Debate Tournament, hosted by TIS, was a resounding success where more than 125 students and coaches from eight international schools across Central Europe competed in five categories from 20-22 November. Two TIS students, Heldi, Sec III, and Greisi, Sec IV, took second place in Debate after a hard-fought 50-minute argument on stage to negate the resolution "Economic interdependence reduces global inequality." Judges agreed it was difficult to choose a winner after preliminary, quarter-final, semi-final, and final rounds on Friday and Saturday. TIS fielded three two-person debate teams to try to hold onto their 2024 Debate Champion title. First place went to TIAS.

Sara, a Sec II student new to the team, won third place for her comedic Oral Interpretation piece title "I Am Herbert." Eight other TIS students also competed in Debate, Oral Interpretation, Original Oratory, Impromptu Speaking, and Duet Acting, some of them for the first time, and represented TIS with character, integrity, academic prowess, and good sportsmanship. The tournament logistics were arranged by TIS Athletic Director Rina Scates. The team is coached after school throughout the autumn by Secondary teachers Gani Shehu, Lisa Clipp, and Matthew Larson. 

 A special thank you to Jonas and Juliana, Sec IV students, for their leadership and support with scorekeeping and timing, as well as Aven, Sec II, for her management of students, as well. Members of the TIS Student Leadership Team timed the events and helped with tours, while many members of the TIS faculty provided judging for the events.

Schools competing with TIS included NOVA International School, Skopje; American International School of Bucharest; The International School of Belgrade; Anglo-American School of Sofia; QSI International School of Montenegro; The International School of Azerbaijan; QSI International School of Yerevan; and Istanbul International Community School.

Speech and Debate is one of the largest CEESA tournaments and requires students to write, practice, choreograph, and perform in front of judges to showcase their skills in select areas of public speaking, acting and argument.