After a long week of nonstop work and preparation, Luciya Katcher anxiously waits for the judge to announce the winner. Katcher’s partner is Sasha Haines, a freshman at Chagrin Falls. As the judge announces Katcher’s and Haines’ names, huge smiles spread across their faces, especially since they are newcomers.

Luciya Katcher, a junior and College-Credit Plus student through Revere and first-year debater, attended the University School speech and debate day camp from July 11 to the 15 along with freshman Samantha Ma, sophomore Jack Krew, senior Ben Webster, and sophomore Sam Webster. The entire resolution for Public Forum was that United States public K-12 schools should be permitted to regulate student’s off-campus electronic speech. She also won the award for best speaker.

Since she did so well at the University School day camp, she can compete in a Public Forum tournament at Georgetown University alongside Anthony Pignataro, a senior on the Speech and Debate team.

“I have a good foundation, but there’s still a lot to learn, so it was definitely a really good, solid start, and I’m really thankful for that,” Katcher said.

Krew, a sophomore and second-year debater, competed in the Lincoln Douglas tournament against about 25 people at the University School day camp, and also ended up winning. He really enjoyed the camp and learned a lot of new skills.

“I’m pretty new to Lincoln Douglas, so it taught a lot of the basics. It really focused on helping you become good at writing cases and cross-examining. . . . The best part (about speech and debate) is actually debating because your work is paying off. I guess winning would probably be the best,” Krew said.

Krew’s goal this year is to go to the state tournament. Ma, a freshman and a first-year debater, won an award for case writing in Public Forum.

John Kerezy, an associate professor and program coordinator in journalism mass communications at Cuyahoga Community College and a third-year coach of the Speech and Debate team, spoke about the day camp.

“To be able to focus for one solid week on aspects of debate makes that person a better debater when they come back. Our season is in the winter: November, December, and January. When you’re able to learn all those things in a less complex and complicated situation at a summer camp. It makes you much better and stronger when you start applying those skills during tournaments in November, December, and January,” Kerezy said.

University School started, for the first time ever, a residential summer camp at Kenyon College from July 25 to the 29, and Anthony Pignataro attended it. Pignataro finished second in that tournament in Lincoln Douglas.

The University School day camp and the Kenyon College residential camp both taught the Revere High School debaters new skills. The speech and debate season starts in October, and tournaments start in November

“Great things are in store for Revere speech and debate in 2016-2017,” Kerezy said.

All of the Revere speakers placed and some even won their tournament. There is still time to join speech and debate for anyone who is interested.