Allstate hosts elite Varsity Invitational

/in

Twenty top high school Varsity teams from all four conferences participated in the Allstate Fall Invitational at Allstate’s Northbrook headquarters on October 15, 2011. The Northside College Prep team of Mitchell Caminer and Tom Trieu narrowly defeated Whitney Young’s Hanna Nasser and Marcel Roman for first place. Mitchell, Hanna, Marcel and Tom took 1st through 4th speaker awards, respectively. The third place team was Brenda Munoz and Carlos Ballesteros of Phoenix Military Academy.

Allstate, our Premier Sponsor, provided college scholarship awards to the top three teams ($2000 for the first place team, $1000 for the second place team and $500 for the third place team). Allstate hosted the event at its beautiful headquarters, providing judges, volunteers, delicious food and an engaging awards ceremony.

Michele Coleman Mays, Executive Vice President and General Counsel of Allstate Insurance, addressed students on debate as preparation for future professional success. She also presented the participation awards. Ben Tarver, Vice President of Allstate Insurance and member of the Chicago Debate Commission Board, presented the individual speaker awards. Susie Lees, Senior Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel of Allstate Financial, presented the team awards. Maria Doughty, State Regulatory and Legislative Affairs Corporate Counsel of Allstate Insurance greeted debaters at the beginning of the day and congratulated them at the end. Maria was a key force behind the success of the event.

Two former Chicago Debate League debaters, Mandela Okere and Monica Avina, spoke about the impact debate has had on their lives.

As part of the awards ceremony, Allstate honored the top speakers from each conference. Congratulations to each of them:

  • RCC: Mitchell Caminer (Northside College Prep)
  • LCC: Hakeem Muhammad (King College Prep)
  • AA: Andrew Singleton (Westinghouse High School)
  • A: Mercedes Hall (Daniel Hale Williams Prep)

Many thanks to Allstate and the entire team for a wonderful event.