Vermont H.C.R. 271: House concurrent resolution in memory of former Mendon Town Clerk Helen Ruth Johnson Lawrence

Bill Text

R-329 Page 1 of 1
2026

VT LEG #389302 v.1
No. R-329. House concurrent resolution congratulating the 2026 Colchester High
School State championship debate team.
(H.C.R.271)
Offered by Representatives Bartley of Fairfax, Austin of Colchester, Bishop of
Colchester, Critchlow of Colchester, and Pezzo of Colchester
Whereas, successful debaters must thoroughly research the topic, develop a
comprehensive command of the facts, strategically and carefully insert a tad of witticism
at the appropriate moment, and always respond to the opponent’s contradicting
arguments, confidently but not antagonistically, and
Whereas, this year’s Vermont State debate championship was held on Saturday,
March 14, 2026, at Champlain Valley Union High School, and the eager student debaters
were assigned the topic, “Should the federal government ban corporations from buying
single-family homes?”, and
Whereas, the students representing Colchester High School at this culminating event
in the school year’s debate schedule were the team’s able cocaptains, Ariana Riedinger
and Naomi Shpaner, who consistently demonstrated why they were selected for these
positions, and
Whereas, Colchester’s solid performance earlier in the day earned these two polished
debaters a berth in the semifinal round against Hanover High School in New Hampshire
(which regularly competes against Vermont teams), and the Colchester students’
informative and, most importantly, persuasive arguments won the judges’ approval for
entry into the decisive final round against Montpelier, and
Whereas, the four experienced students’ verbal exchanges reflected their agility as
public forum debaters, but after careful deliberation, the three judges voted two to one to
award Colchester the championship’s top honor, and
Whereas, throughout the academic year, Ariana Riedinger and Naomi Shpaner were
the leaders of an outstanding team of Colchester debaters, who were Lunar Wager,
Isabella Rodriguez, McCartney Holtz, Brin Averett, Josh Bierer, Ethan Thompson, Norah
Glass, Isla Stowell, Alyssa Bierer, and Leah Gilmond, and the team’s superb faculty
advisor, Oliver Kranichfeld, offered guidance and wisdom that greatly contributed to
Colchester’s well-deserved State championship victory, now therefore be it
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives:
That the General Assembly congratulates the 2026 Colchester High School State
championship debate team, and be it further
Resolved: That the Secretary of State be directed to send a copy of this resolution to
Colchester High School.