🏆🎉 John R. King Debate Team Crowned Champions! 🎉🏆

John R. King Academic and Performing Arts Academy is bursting with Titan Pride as we celebrate our incredible Debate Team, who captured the Umoja Debate League Championship during the league's Championship Tournament! 🥇🎤

On Saturday, June 6, students from across Detroit gathered to conclude an outstanding 2025–2026 after-school debate season. Throughout the competition, our John R. King scholars demonstrated exceptional confidence, critical thinking, preparation, and powerful public speaking skills—showcasing the dedication and perseverance they have displayed all year long.

Under the outstanding leadership of Coach Ms. Kathy Woods, our talented 8th grade ELA teacher, the John R. King Debate Team rose to the top, earning the Championship Title against schools from across the city. 🏆👏

🌟 A Championship Filled with Honors

In addition to being crowned League Champions, John R. King students earned an impressive collection of individual team awards, including:

🏅 Best Cross Examination
🏅 Best Rebuttal
🏅 Best Critical Thinking
🏅 Best Synthesis

These prestigious recognitions reflect our students' ability to think deeply, communicate effectively, defend their ideas with evidence, and respectfully challenge opposing viewpoints. They truly represented the excellence of John R. King both inside and outside the classroom. 💙🤍

🌱 Celebrating Individual Excellence

John R. King scholars also brought home several outstanding individual honors!

🎤 Marcia Griffin was named the winner of the Zip Code Improvement Speech Competition, earning $1,250. She will receive $250 personally, while $1,000 will fund her inspiring community project to transform vacant lots into beautiful neighborhood gardens. 🌷🌻

⭐ Gregory Grant was recognized with the Rising Star Award, celebrating his tremendous growth, dedication, and promise as a future leader.

👏 We are also proud to celebrate Gyasi Gambrell, who was honored as one of the Umoja Debate League Coaches of the Year for his outstanding leadership and commitment to developing student voices throughout the season.

🌍 Next Stop: Abroad!

As a result of their hard work and championship victory, our Debate Team has earned the incredible opportunity to travel to abroad! ✈️🌍 This once-in-a-lifetime experience will allow our scholars to broaden their perspectives, experience new cultures, and create memories that will last a lifetime.

❤️ Thank You to Our John R. King Family

Championships are built through teamwork, and this victory would not have been possible without the unwavering support of our entire John R. King community.

Thank you to every staff member who gave their time, offered encouragement, practiced with students, made copies, opened their classrooms, and cheered on our scholars throughout the season. Your investment in our students helped create an environment where they could discover the power of their voices and reach their fullest potential.

Congratulations once again to Coach Ms. Kathy Woods, Coach Gyasi Gambrell, our remarkable Debate Team, and every scholar who represented John R. King with excellence. Your hard work, determination, and commitment have made our entire Titan family proud.

Together, we continue to build confident communicators, critical thinkers, compassionate leaders, and future changemakers.

🏆 Congratulations, Debate Champions! We can't wait to see what you accomplish next!