After debuting in Maine DOC last Fall with a co-ed team of incarcerated students, the NPDL is proud to highlight our first all-women’s team!  Led by Victoria Scott, a co-captain of the joint 2022 team which beat MIT, this amazing group of ladies represented to the fullest against a very strong Harvard University team. The topic? Resolved: The United States Congress should enact the Paycheck Fairness Act. Maine took the affirmative position in favor of this policy while Harvard argued against this resolution.

Maine Women’s Center (WC) Team:

Coaches: John Katsulas-Boston College & Ed Panetta-University of Georgia (Ret.)

1. Alexsea Cholewa-1st Constructive
2. Nicole Lamphere-1st Rebuttal
3. Darlene George-2nd Constructive
4. Miranda Hopkins-2nd Rebuttal
5. Victoria Scott-Team Captain/Cross Ex/Closer
6. Hillary Goding-Alternate
7. Katrina Bridges-Alternate

Harvard University:

Coach: Tripp Rebrovick-Harvard University

1. Kimtee Kundu-1st Constructive
2. Christian Gines-1st Rebuttal
3. Anna Dean-2nd Constructive
4. Oge Ogbogu-2nd Rebuttal
5. Kenji Aoki-Cross Ex/Closer

NPDL Assistant Director Brittany LaMarr moderated this remarkable examination of American gender inequality in which many racial, economic, and social issues were brilliantly illuminated by the teams.  An expert panel of judges had the difficult task of trying to evaluate a veritable avalanche of thought-provoking insights from multiple perspectives.

Judges:

1. Karla Leeper-Vice Chancellor for Strategic Communications & Public Affairs at the University of Kansas, former Director of Debate at Baylor, and a finalist at the 1985 National Debate Tournament
2. Carly Watson-Director of Debate at Michigan State University and the 2010 National Debate Champion
3. Carina Hung-Rhodes Scholar at Oxford University, former MIT debater, award-winning mathematics scholar
4. Rita Rosenthal-Boston College Professor of Communication and Director of Public Speaking
5. Dr. Bob Cadigan-Professor of Applied Social Science at Boston University

Maine’s Alexsea Cholewa got her team off to a great start, and Darlene George delivered a standout performance during her powerful 2nd constructive argument. The two teams presented drastically different delivery styles, with Maine patiently hitting their marks as Harvard breathlessly rattled off arguments in staccato bursts. When the scores were tallied, Harvard won by a 3-2 decision. So, we respectfully congratulate Harvard’s team for skillfully dealing the NPDL its first competitive loss, while also acknowledging the immeasurable gains resulting from this inspirational display of humanity.

Watch the debate here: https://www.youtube.com/@nationalprisondebateleague

Support our work here: https://secure.givelively.org/donate/charitable-allies-inc/national-prison-debate-league