Congratulations to Miramar High School senior Briana Whatley, for taking first place at the prestigious 2024 Incubate Debate National Championship in Jacksonville, Florida, on April 5 – 6.
Briana debated alongside 88 high-caliber students from across the nation, tackling pressing issues like the tensions between China and Taiwan, the climate crisis, and college diversity programs. Her exceptional performance earned Briana the National Championship and a $10,000 award to put toward post-high school endeavors.
The esteemed judging panel included Bill de Blasio, former New York City Mayor; Stephen Adoli, director of admissions at the University of Austin; Peter Boghossian, founder of the National Progress Alliance; Simon Hankinson, senior fellow at the Heritage Foundation; and Clea Conner, CEO of Open to Debate.
“This is our best tournament yet,” said James Fishback, president and founder of Incubate Debate. “These students and the rounds they delivered were a model of civil, unbiased and intellectually stimulating debate. I am incredibly proud of these exceptional young minds.”