On January 18th, South High’s Debate Team won the 113th MN State High School League State Debate Tournament, which was held at the University of Minnesota.

The winning team, composed of juniors Trace Thompson and senior Lillie Oulette-Howitz, beat Wayzata High School in the championship round which established South’s first ever victory in this tournament.

This is the first time that a Minneapolis team has won this tournament since Southwest High School’s victory in 1945. Thompson shared that it felt good to win this tournament, and that he would continue to debate in college as it was fun for him. The team will be advancing to the National Tournament in June, which will be held in Kansas.

Oulette-Howitz also received the Tamar Kaplan Student of the Year Award.