Twenty-three students were selected last week for Shalhevet’s Princeton Model Congress delegation, which will compete in Washington, D.C., Nov 17 – 20.  Eleven are returning debaters and 12 were chosen from among 32 who competed for open spots. Debators were chosen based on their ability to display “critical thinking, poise, and new research,” said senior debate captain Justin Brandt-Sarif, adding that he loves the new team, which includes:

Rose Bern

Justin Brandt-Sarif

Leona Fallas

Ari Feuer

Deanna Grunfeld

Michael Lenett

David Rokah

Daniel Schwartz

Eitan Spitzer

Sarah Soroudi

Tamar Willis

Alex Schwartz

Jo Jo Fallas

Erin Sharfman

Ariella Joffe

Sigal Spitzer

Rena Ohana

Kalil Eden

Avishai Rabin

Leora Nimmer

Jacob Ellenhorn

Hannah-Leeba Ellenhorn

Jordan Banafsheha

At tryouts last Wednesday and Thursday, students gave prepared speeches and were judged by a panel of returning debaters and alumni. The auditions were held in Mr. Buckley’s classroom after school.

A second tier of debaters was told they were “still being considered for acceptance” and would receive instructions from Mr. Buckley by e-mail.  Those were:

Max Lipner

Eitan Miller

Michael Silver

Katie Feld

Elliot Sassover

Miriam Bern

Nicole Feder

Mr. Buckley said the tryouts had been extremely competitive and urged those not selected to try again.