The Manchester Essex Regional High School (MERHS) Debate Team delivered an impressive performance at the recent HollyFest Debate Tournament, held in Natick, MA on December 20, 2025. Competing against over 30 schools from across Massachusetts, the team demonstrated skill, preparation, and poise in a challenging and competitive environment.
In the Novice Public Forum division, the duo of Rosie Renehan and Annabelle Kerivan earned an outstanding 8th place overall, marking a significant achievement for the team. Their strong showing reflected the hours of practice and dedication they invested in refining their arguments and debate strategies.
In Novice Public Forum competition, three Manchester Essex debaters earned spots among the Top 10 Speakers:
Stella Langille – 2nd place
Annabelle Kerivan – 3rd place
Lily Berkowitz – 8th place
These results highlight the depth of talent within the team and the growing strength of the MERHS debate program. With such achievements among a field of more than 30 schools, Manchester Essex’s
showing at HollyFest reflects the commitment of the students.
Reflecting on the team’s success, Rosie Renehan, Debate Club President, said, “It was such an exciting experience to compete against so many schools and see our hard work pay off. We’re all proud of what we accomplished and can’t wait for the next tournament.”
The success at HollyFest marks another milestone for MERHS Debate this season, and the team looks forward to building on this momentum in future competitions.
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