NSDA nationals 2019

10 members of the Cary Academy Speech and Debate team traveled to Dallas, Texas during the week of June 15th to the 22nd to compete in the National Speech and Debate Association's National Tournament, the world's largest academic competition. Cary Academy had one of its best showings ever at the National Tournament as six of CA's ten competitors reached the elimination rounds of their primary events. RJ Jain broke in Congressional Debate for the third straight year reaching the semifinals of Senate placing him in the top 70 of 193 competitors. Cade Spector reached the Octafinal round of United States Extemporaneous Speaking placing in the top 60 of 231 competitors, and Claudia Zimmerman reached the Octafinals of International Extemporaneous Speaking placing in the top 60 of 230 competitors. Will Aarons, Eric Xing, and Jessica Zhong all reached the Triple Octafinals of Worlds School Debate as part of the Tarheel East District's teams placing in the top 64 of 193 teams. Will Aarons was also the 19th Place Speaker in World Schools. After just missing out  on breaking in International Extemp Becca Segal entered the consolation event of Extemp Commentary and after seven rounds of competition advanced to the final round as one of the last 6 students remaining out of 221 entries. After an outstanding performance in the final round Becca finished in 3rd Place and was recognized on stage at the National Awards Assembly. This is the third straight year a Cary Academy student has been recognized on the Nationals stage, and the seventh time overall. Other students who competed at Nationals were Viraj Shah in Lincoln Douglas Debate, Grace Wissink in Program of Oral Interpretation, and Jay Sagrolikar in the House of Congressional Debate.