First year debaters win championship at Marist
Congratulations to ninth grade debaters Collin Chan, Ophelia Cherry-Pulay, Caroline Keiper, Rhea Nachnani, Zinnia Nichols Loller, Ellie Rothman, Lexi Straus, and Siddhi Voona for an outstanding start to their high school debate careers.
By Bill Wilson, HS Debate Coach
USN's first year debaters started their season this weekend virtually and rocked the Marist Ivy Street Invitational. All four teams in competition reached the elimination round Saturday night, Sep. 25. Three USN teams claimed a co-championship in the division.
Ophelia Cherry-Pulay '25 and Ellie Rothman '25 finished preliminary competition with a 4-1 record, good for the second seed in the bracket. They won their elimination round in a 3-0 decision over Alpharetta HS (Georgia). Ophelia and Ellie earned the first and second place speaker awards in the division.
Lexi Straus '25 and Rhea Nachnani '25 finished with a 3-2 record, good for the eighth seed where they met the ninth seeded USN team of Collin Chan '25 and Caroline Keiper '25 (3-2). Lexi, Collin, and Rhea claimed the fourth, seventh and ninth place speaker awards in the division, respectively, while closing out one slice of the bracket. Zinnia Nichols Loller '25 and Siddhi Voona '25 finished 3-2, also. As the 13th seed they lost their elimination round to Montgomery Bell Academy.
What a fine start to these debate careers — looking forward to watching what this group can accomplish together.
Back
USN's first year debaters started their season this weekend virtually and rocked the Marist Ivy Street Invitational. All four teams in competition reached the elimination round Saturday night, Sep. 25. Three USN teams claimed a co-championship in the division.
Ophelia Cherry-Pulay '25 and Ellie Rothman '25 finished preliminary competition with a 4-1 record, good for the second seed in the bracket. They won their elimination round in a 3-0 decision over Alpharetta HS (Georgia). Ophelia and Ellie earned the first and second place speaker awards in the division.
Lexi Straus '25 and Rhea Nachnani '25 finished with a 3-2 record, good for the eighth seed where they met the ninth seeded USN team of Collin Chan '25 and Caroline Keiper '25 (3-2). Lexi, Collin, and Rhea claimed the fourth, seventh and ninth place speaker awards in the division, respectively, while closing out one slice of the bracket. Zinnia Nichols Loller '25 and Siddhi Voona '25 finished 3-2, also. As the 13th seed they lost their elimination round to Montgomery Bell Academy.
What a fine start to these debate careers — looking forward to watching what this group can accomplish together.
More USN News
List of 3 news stories.
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USN graduates 98 plus 1 during Commencement
Seniors turned their tassels and graduated from University School of Nashville on Sunday, May 17, on the Back Lawn. Visit usn.org/classof2026 for more highlights from their last year on Edgehill and to learn what they will do next.Read More -
Spring sports season ends with podium finishes, trophies
The girls lacrosse team ended its season in overtime to become state runner-up. Tennis players Carter Kojetin '29 finished as a state quarterfinalist, Sophie Oliver '26 and Mary Kate Adler '28 finished as state semifinalists, and Veer Kodali '29 and Max Parker '29 finished as state champions. Meanwhile, eight runners competed at the state track and field meet in Knoxville, where Griffin Davidson '27, Caleb Freifeld '28, Drew Zwerner '28, and Jack Fruin '27, sprinted to first in the 4x800m relay and Jack also placed first in the 800m dash.Read More -
USN creates the Juliet Douglas Endowed Fund for Student Success
For the entire USN community: an invitation to give in gratitude, in celebration, and in honor of the woman who has given so much to our school. Make a gift at usn.org/giving to support students with needs beyond tuition and honor Interim Director Juliet Douglas.Read More
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Nashville, TN 37212
Phone: 615-321-8000
Fax: 615-321-0889
Email: info@usn.org
River Campus
1200 County Hospital Road
Nashville, TN 37218
2000 Edgehill Ave.
Nashville, TN 37212
Phone: 615-321-8000
Fax: 615-321-0889
Email: info@usn.org
River Campus
1200 County Hospital Road
Nashville, TN 37218
USN Mission:
University School of Nashville models the best educational practices. In an environment that represents the cultural and ethnic composition of Metropolitan Nashville, USN fosters each student’s intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential, valuing and inspiring integrity, creative expression, a love of learning, and the pursuit of excellence.
University School of Nashville models the best educational practices. In an environment that represents the cultural and ethnic composition of Metropolitan Nashville, USN fosters each student’s intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential, valuing and inspiring integrity, creative expression, a love of learning, and the pursuit of excellence.