May 2025 (cgcs.org) – For two Chicago Public Schools students, preparing for this year’s national debate competition came with extra pressure—their school was defending its national title. After months of research, writing, and refining their arguments, Amanti Washington and Kate’lynn Shaw of Kenwood Academy can finally exhale. The duo was recently crowned champions of the 2025 Urban Debate National Championship, successfully defending Kenwood’s top spot at the national competition for the second year in a row.
Washington and Shaw weren’t the only Chicago Public Schools students to receive national honors. Ángel Tierrablanca and Wendy Depaz of Back of the Yards College Preparatory High School made history by becoming the first-ever Debate en Español competition champions—marking a historic sweep for Chicago debaters at this year’s tournament.