The squad was coordinated and led by Javier Hernandez, and consisted of juniors Julen Huarte, Thomas Packert, & Matthew Rockwell. The teams competed against 42 other teams from all over Miami-Dade and Broward County tackling environmental issues at the local, state, federal and international level. 

 

The tournament utilizes the British Parliamentary style debating format and our students adapted quite well to the demands of that style of debate. The format gives students the topics ahead of time, but only gives them 15 minutes notice before the round to prepare for a particular position (Government or Opposition). For the first time in Challenge history, teams were eliminated throughout the competition and there was a final round exhibition round for the entire tournament pool to observe. From a field of 42, the team of Julen Huarte & Matthew Rockwell made it to the final round after defeating teams from Archimedean, Alonzo & Tracey Mourning, Braddock, Jose Marti Mast, Hialeah, and Terra in preliminary rounds. The team of Javier Hernandez and Thomas Packert narrowly missed making it to the final round, but did have big wins against Robert Morgan, Hollywood Christian, Imater Prep, Hialeah Miami Lakes, and MAST Academy. 

 

In the final round, Julen & Matthew were locked into the Closing Government position against teams from Carrollton, Hialeah, and South Plantation. They discussed the topic The state of Florida should allow permits for oil exploration in public lands and state parks. Though they had a great showing, they were narrowly beat out by Carrollton and the South Plantation teams in the finals.