GROTON, Conn. – Earlier this month, the Fitch Debate Team managed to secure a spot in state finals after hosting its second CDA competition of the season.
For the second time in the 2024-25 season, Fitch hosted a debate competition, this time co-hosting alongside Coginchaug High School in Durham on Feb. 1. All teams from Fitch ended the day going 1-3 in their rounds. The highlight of the afternoon, though, was when Fitch varsity member Zerek Laghari qualified for the state finals, earning a fifth-place finish in his division. The motion being argued was, “This House believes that the U.S. Federal Government should provide a national financial support program for property insurance risk.”
Fitch had previously hosted in November, and this time shared co-hosting duties with Coginchaug High School in Durham. The event drew eight schools from Fairfield, Hartford, and New London counties. Joel Barlow, Staples, AITE, Loomis Chafee, Westhill, Waterford, and Marine Science High School all attended. The competition had four rounds where teams of two students debated against another high school. Ultimately, Bethel defeated Barlow in the varsity final by unanimous judge’s ballot.
Laghari, a varsity senior on the Fitch Debate Team, joined last season. He partnered with junior Megan Lacey through the competition. He will be the first varsity member from Fitch to compete in the state finals.
This will be the team’s second time at finals. Last season, then-novice debaters Lacey and Katie Virtue both advanced and competed in the event.
State finals will be held after the regular season, on March 29, at Bethel High School. The last regular season competition will be on March 1, when Fitch will travel to St. Paul’s in Bristol.
