Front row, left to right: Dave Arnett (coach), Jacinda Rivas, Maria Sanchez and Genevieve Hackman. Back row, left to right: Dan Bannister, Amar Adam (coach), Lincoln Garrett (coach) and Anthony Trufanov. Photo provided by the NDT.
For the University of Kentucky Debate Teamtoday is a big day — as in their day.
Mayor Linda Gorton has declared April 25, 2019, UK Debate Team Day in Lexington to celebrate the team’s season long top national ranking. The proclamation reads as follows:
UK DEBATE TEAM DAY
WHEREAS, the University of Kentucky Debate Team is ranked top in the nation; and
WHEREAS, the debate team is led by one of the best partnerships in the country, Dan Bannister and Anthony Trufanov, both juniors; and
WHEREAS, Bannister and Trufanov recently won the 46th annual “Run for the Roses” tournament, a competition featuring the seven top debate teams in the nation; and
WHEREAS, David Arnett has been directing the UK Debate Team for nine years; and
NOW, THEREFORE I, LINDA GORTON, MAYOR OF LEXINGTON,
DO HEREBY DECLARE APRIL 25, 2019,
UK DEBATE TEAM DAY IN LEXINGTON,
IN CELEBRATION OF THE TEAM’S TOP NATIONAL RANKING.
The success has also garnered letters of congratulations from Washington, D.C., from U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and U.S. Rep. Andy Barr.