Hillsborough High School Debate Club Competes In Washington DC

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — The Hillsborough High School Debate Club, led by teacher Bob Fenster and co-advisor Louis DiGirolamo, traveled to Washington DC this past weekend to compete in the prestigious Princeton Model Congress.

While in the nation’s capital, the students had the opportunity to engage with alumni working in government and public policy.

The visit included a panel discussion featuring three of Mr. Fenster’s accomplished former students, representing diverse political perspectives:

• Daria Grastara (Class of 2013): CEO of Direct Persuasion, a full-service marketing agency serving political candidates, committees, and public affairs groups. Ms. Grastara has held senior roles in Republican political campaigns, developing and executing digital strategies.
• Yuval Levin (Class of 1995): Founding editor of National Affairs and director of Social, Cultural, and Constitutional Studies at the American Enterprise Institute. A prominent conservative thinker, Mr. Levin is a respected author and commentator on politics, culture, and public policy. He also served in the legislative branch early in his career.
• Zach Volpe (Class of 2019): Staff Assistant on the Senate Armed Services Committee and a Juris Doctor candidate at Georgetown University Law Center. Mr. Volpe, who has worked for both Republican and Democrat senators, specializes in national security law and has contributed to research and commentary on a range of defense and foreign policy issues.

The panel discussion, showcasing a breadth of ideological viewpoints, provided current debate club members with valuable insights into careers in public service and the impact of policy decisions.

Fenster, a long-time educator at Hillsborough High School, has a remarkable track record of fostering student interest in civic engagement. Many of his former students have gone on to pursue successful careers in government, law, and policy.

“This trip was an incredible experience for our students,” said Fenster. “Hearing from our alumni who are making a real difference in Washington underscores the importance of critical thinking, debate, and public service. I’m incredibly proud of all they have accomplished.”

In addition to the panel discussion, the students also had the opportunity to connect with Aman Thakker (Class of 2013), Associate Vice President at The Asia Group and an Adjunct Fellow with the Chair in U.S.-India Policy Studies at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

The Hillsborough High School Debate Club celebrated a successful trip to the Princeton Model Congress competition, where several students received recognition for their outstanding performance:

• Sam Strauss (11) and Nirav Banerjee (12) earned Best Delegate awards
• Lohith Venkatesh (10), Annika Lambert-Smith (10), Aditi Polamuri (10), Sanjana Bhatta (12), and Fred Gordon (12) received Honorable Mentions

This trip highlights the lasting impact of dedicated educators and the potential of young people to shape the future.