The Baltimore City College (BCC) Speech and Debate Society is celebrating a landmark achievement as its partnership of seniors Nevaeh Rita Sencion and Saidah Ervin have been crowned National Champions at the NCFL Grand National Tournament held in Chicago, IL. The duo clinched the title with a hard-fought 3-2 victory against Peninsula LL, one of the top-ranked teams in the country and TOC semifinalist.


Reflecting on their journey, Nevaeh Sencion expressed heartfelt gratitude and pride. “Saidah and I worked really hard – but it wouldn’t have happened without our team, community, coaches, family, and friends who pushed us to be the best versions of ourselves and supported us these past four years,” she said. Sencion added, “Everything I do is for the small Black girl that was told that she talks too much and that the world had no place for her to talk.”


Saidah Ervin shared similar sentiments, “I feel incredibly grateful and honored to be the champions. We’ve had an incredible senior year that is the perfect culmination of all the hard work we have put in going back to middle school. And I think this signifies a new opportunity for debate to continue giving Black people their accolades.”


The 2023-24 season has been remarkable for Ervin and Sencion, who finished as semi-finalists at the Tournament of Champions. Beyond their own successes, the pair has been instrumental in mentoring underclassmen, with freshmen team members also securing numerous tournament victories this year.


This year’s NCFL Grand National Tournament saw 85 policy teams qualify from 18 different states. Peninsula Brandon Lin & Mike Li and Maize Payten LaPoint & Delaney Payne were semifinalist teams, while Shawnee Mission South AM, De Soto FW, Lake Highland Prep LS, and Central High School Springfield SS were all quarterfinalist placing teams.


Patrick S. Daniels, Director of Speech and Debate at City College, lauded the team’s dedication and the broader implications of their success. “The success of these young leaders reflects the work ethic of the entire team,” Daniels stated. “These accomplishments represent a debate family at BCC—a family that is over 150 years old. I’m proud of these young leaders and look forward to their future success.” He continued, “We believe that through the activity of Policy Debate, we can begin to fundamentally change the way that the poor and disenfranchised are viewed within society. I am incredibly proud of these students and will continue to be even prouder as they represent their school and community.”


The future is bright for Ervin and Sencion, as both have secured full scholarships to their chosen colleges. Saidah Ervin will attend the University of Kentucky, while Nevaeh Sencion will continue her debate career at Wake Forest University.

This victory not only highlights the exceptional talent and perseverance of Ervin and Sencion but also underscores the successful environment fostered by the BCC Speech and Debate Society. Their historic triumph is a testament to the power of dedication, community, and the unwavering belief in the potential of every student.


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