ACS Athens is proud to celebrate the remarkable achievements of its debate team at the Deree Invitational Debate Tournament, held on November 15th and 16th at Pierce College. Demonstrating poise, professionalism, and a commitment to respectful engagement, our students once again embodied the values of academic excellence and global citizenship that define ACS Athens.

The Deree Invitational is a prestigious British Parliamentary debate competition hosted biannually by the Deree Debating Society. This fall, ten ACS Athens students showcased their critical thinking and communication skills while connecting with peers from schools across the region who share their passion for debate.

Special recognition goes to Kai Yuet Zhang, who advanced to the Semi-Finals and ranked as the 5th Best Speaker of the tournament. Congratulations also to Nola Belford Govrin and Zoi Xydia, who reached the Novice Final, with Nola ranking 9th and Zoi earning the 3rd Best Novice Speaker award. Their accomplishments reflect the dedication and hard work of our students, coaches, and community.

We proudly recognize all participants for their achievements (in alphabetical order):

• Maggie Al Maleh
• Nola Belford Govrin
• Efthymios Christodoulou
• Ioanna Drossou
• George Karatzas
• Danai Markouli
• F. N.
• N. S.
• Zoi Xydia
• Kai Yuet Zhang

Special thanks to our volunteer judges, Androniki Manoli, Stelios Kalogridakis, and Adamantia Koliza, and heartfelt gratitude to the ACS Athens debate coaches Philippos Saccopoulos, Panagiotis Hatzis, and Amalia Zavacopoulou for their unwavering support.

This event underscores ACS Athens’ mission to inspire individuals to transform the world as architects of their own learning. Through debate, our students engage in thoughtful discourse, cultivate leadership, and embrace the principles of inquiry and respect that are central to our vision of empowering ethical global citizens.