GROTON, Conn. – Earlier this month, two Fitch High School seniors received high honors in the Connecticut Debate Association’s season opener and will attend state finals in March.

Seniors Avery Horan and Katie Virtue won third place team in the varsity division, while Horan won the fourth place speaker award. The team competed at Fitch High School on Oct. 18, joined by 120 students from North Stonington to Stamford. Horan and Virtue finished the day by going 3-1. The motion being argued was, “This house would not limit H-1B visas beyond reasonable regulations and administration costs.” The topic provided a challenge for many students throughout the day.

Fitch brought 16 students to the competition, with three varsity teams and five novice teams. They co-hosted with Joel Barlow in Redding, giving the CDA its biggest attendance for an October competition since before the COVID-19 pandemic. 

For Horan, who has been competing since her sophomore year and is currently a co-captain, it was her first trophy win in a CDA competition. This is Virtue’s second trophy, making her the first member of the team to attend finals more than once. Her first trophy came two years ago as a novice. As a team, this will be Fitch’s third time competing at states.

The day concluded with Farmington defeating AITE in the varsity final by a unanimous decision. 

Fitch will travel to Pomperaug High School in Southbury on Nov. 8 for the next competition of the season.