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Stoneleigh-Burnham School is proud to announce that the school won first place at the annual Public Speaking Tournament hosted on their
campus on Sunday, April 6, 2025.

Nine schools participated in the tournament, bringing together 32 students. The schools included SBS, Hotchkiss, Deerfield, Choate, Groton, Andover, Roxbury Latin, BB&N, and NMH. Five students represented Stoneleigh-Burnham School at the event: Zoe '25, Amy '25, Maeve '26, Ida '26, and Valentina '27.

The tournament consisted of three rounds: After-Dinner or Persuasive Speaking, Interpretive Reading, and Impromptu Speaking. Stoneleigh-Burnham School students demonstrated success across all categories. Maeve '26 won 1st place in Persuasive Speaking, and Zoe '25 secured 2nd place in both After Dinner Speaking and Interpretive Reading. Ida '26 and Valentina '27, both novice speakers, also achieved excellent results.

The Stoneleigh-Burnham School team was awarded First Place overall.

The event was organized by Parke Burgess, Humanities Department member and Debate & Public Speaking Coach at Stoneleigh-Burnham School. “We are a small school but we showed once again that we have extraordinary students: thoughtful, dedicated, and resilient. They speak boldly and with great integrity. I could not be more proud of them,” Mr. Burgess commented.

About DANEIS
Comprised of independent high schools in New England states, the Debating Association of New England Independent Schools (DANEIS) provides opportunities for public speakers and debaters to compete both regionally and internationally. Founded in 1978, DANEIS now includes 30 member and affiliated schools. Canadian and overseas tournaments are coordinated with the International Independent Schools Public Speaking League.