HML’s Debate Team makes third trip to national championship

     Hialeah-Miami Lakes Senior High School’s debate team is going to the national championship to be held Harvard College in April.

     The Trojans placed at the White & Case 2026 Policy Debate Nationals Qualifiers on Feb. 28, held at Miami Dade College’s Kendall Campus. 

     HML’s Speech and Debate Sponsor Michelle Simon said in an email that the school took three teams of two students each and won 2nd Place in the team sweepstakes. 

     For the third year in a row, HML will be representing Miami Dade Urban Debate League at the national contest, Simon said about their successful season. 

     HML’s winners were Isaura Valdes and Brian Hing, who placed first in the finals; Anastaia Riley and Jayden Rodriguez who won 4th Place overall, and Anastaia Riley and Brian Hing, who took home individual speaker awards. 

     The 2026 Urban Debate National Championship will be held April 11 - 13 at the Harvard campus in Cambridge, Mass.