NEENAH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — A Neenah High School student earned a $1,000 college scholarship after winning a national speech and debate tournament over the weekend.
Junior, Parker De Deker beat out 488 participants in the Congressional Debate House competition at the National Speech and Debate Association tournament in Louisville, Kentucky.
De Deker also won the Champion Presiding Officer where he was elected to serve as the presiding officer for the finals chamber and the House Leadership Award, which is voted on by peers to determine who demonstrated outstanding leadership and advocacy.
In addition, Shattuck Middle School eighth grade student, Nina Bhattacharjee, became the first Wisconsin middle school student to compete in the Middle School National Tournament in debate. She finished national runner-up in middle school Congressional debate, joining De Deker as the only Neenah students ever to reach the finals in Congressional debate.
Prior to the national meet, Bhattacharjee competed in high school competitions throughout the season.
Senior Isabel Hoffman also represented Neenah at the national meet. The team is coached by Andrea Peterson-Longmore.
