South Lakes debate win marks series of firsts, Fairfax Times, April 24, 2013

First academic state championship in school’s 35-year history

by Holly Hobbs Staff writer

Shamus Ian Fatzinger/Fairfax County Times

(From left) Jeffrey DiSanto-Ranney, 18, and Kshitij Kumar, 18, led South Lakes High School to a share of Virginia’s state debate title last weekend.

A once-empty trophy display case outside of South Lakes High School’s library now houses a montage of awards won this year by the school’s newest powerhouse: the debate team.

“We started off literally with four people. We didn’t even have a name. Since then South Lakes has become a force to be reckoned with,” said South Lakes senior Jeffrey DiSanto-Ranney, 18, a captain for the debate team. “The trophy case was empty. Now it’s filled with debate trophies.”

This past weekend, South Lakes took first in the Virginia High School League’s state debate championship held at Liberty University in Lynchburg. The win marks the first academic state championship in the school’s 35-year history. . . .

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These students are the future of Reston.  Congratulations to all of them, their coach, and South Lakes High School for this outstanding performance!