After winning the top prize at the Olympia International Speech and Debate Championship (OISDC), the dynamic duo Bảo Khánh and Như Khôi (8Torun) have once again secured the Championship title at the National Middle School Debate Championship (NMDC)*. Their personal excellence shone through even more brightly as they swept both major individual awards: Overall Best Speaker and Overall Best Reply Speaker. Yet, what makes Dewey most proud is not the prestigious trophies—but the passion for learning and the spirit of lifelong inquiry the two students displayed throughout the competition.
Across nine intense rounds, Bảo Khánh and Như Khôi maintained exceptional performance, showcasing sharp reasoning, strong critical thinking, and composure against formidable opponents. Their self-learning habits and daily engagement with current affairs—skills nurtured at Dewey—enabled them to bring out their full potential in every round. The pair impressed judges with their knowledge on contemporary topics such as Gen Z language, K-POP culture, and feminism. In the final round, which centered on an ethical scenario, they skillfully applied interdisciplinary knowledge from psychology, sociology, and economics to present compelling, grounded arguments.
When asked about their goals for joining the competition, both students shared that they “didn’t place too much emphasis on winning,” seeing this instead as a valuable opportunity to gain real-world experience and sharpen their skills. After every match, they took the initiative to approach judges for feedback and actively engaged with competing teams to learn from different debating styles. Their curiosity and proactive mindset are products of Dewey’s experiential learning environment, where students are encouraged to explore through projects, research, questioning, reflection, and open, respectful expression of personal viewpoints.
Every competition, despite its rigor, serves as a chance for students to develop teamwork, communication, collaboration, and mutual growth. From a boy once nervous to speak in public and unsure in expressing his ideas, Bảo Khánh has learned to build coherent arguments and enrich his knowledge each day. For Như Khôi, each tournament marks another step in sharpening his analytical lens, helping him evaluate issues from multiple perspectives.
For Dewey, the greatest pride lies in seeing students grow, gain confidence, and find joy in their learning journey. Congratulations to Bảo Khánh and Như Khôi! May you continue to shine and conquer even greater milestones in the debating arena ahead.
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The National Middle School Debate Championship (NMDC) is a national English debate competition for primary and lower secondary students, featuring more than 70 teams and hundreds of talented debaters. The event provides a platform for students to develop essential 21st-century skills such as critical thinking, public speaking, and teamwork, empowering young people to confidently express their viewpoints and voices.
