Rob Gormisky '13 and Dan Spinelli '14 Advance to Top 50 Nationally in Policy Debate at the NFL National Finals in Indianapolis, IN
La Salle College High School junior Robert Gormisky '13 and sophomore Daniel Spinelli '14 advanced to the top 60 in Policy Debate at the National Forensics League (NFL) National Tournament. The NFL National Speech and Debate Tournament presented by Lincoln Financial Group is the largest academic competition in the world This year's tournament was held in Indianapolis, IN from June 10-15, 2012.
In order to qualify to the NFL National Tournament, Rob and Dan won the NFL Valley Forge District Tournament in Policy Debate. The accomplishment of winning the District Tournament in Policy Debate is even more impressive considering that typically Rob and Dan compete in a different event — Lincoln Douglas Debate.
At the NFL National Tournament Rob and Dan faced teams from across the country including some of the top teams from California, Kansas, Massachusetts, and Missouri. The had to win at least 8 ballots from 12 judges to advance to the elimination rounds and place in the Top 60.
More than 120,000 students, representing more than 3,000 schools, built their communication, leadership, cognitive, and presentational skills competed across the country as members of the NFL this year.
To attend the NFL National Tournament, students must place among the top competitors at one of 108 NFL District Tournaments in one of ten main events — Policy Debate, Lincoln Douglas Debate, Public Forum Debate, Congressional Debate, Original Oratory, US Extemporaneous Speaking, International Extemporaneous Speaking, Humorous Interpretation of Literature, Dramatic Interpretation of Literature, or Duo Interpretation of Literature.
The National Forensic League is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit honorary society created to recognize high school students in speech and debate. Since 1925, more than 1.3 million students have found their voice in the NFL. Prominent alumni include media visionaries Oprah Winfrey and Ted Turner; Academy Award Winners Mark Boal, Patricia Neal, and Renee Zellweger; Emmy award winners Kelsey Grammar and Shelley Long; Supreme Court Justices Stephen Breyer and Sonia Sotomayor; and C‐SPAN founder Brian Lamb. For more information about the organization, objectives, history, or alumni, visit www.NFLonline.org.
