HISTORY OF THE TEAM LEADERSHIP
What is the role of the Executive Board?
The Wilton High School Debate Team is primarily run through the efforts of Wilton High School students. The team has an Executive Board consisting of four students who are elected by the team, and they are responsible for nearly everything that goes on with the team such as registering for tournaments, running weekly meetings, handling the team's finances, publicizing the team, and communicating with administrators, parents, and organizations.
Elections to choose members of the Executive Board are held in April each year. It consists of two Captains and two Board Members. Each Board’s term serves the full school year, including the previous summer. There are no rules restricting leadership to a maximum number of years, but members of the Board must be reelected each year. Any student who is on the team and meets the attendance requirements (3/4 of team meetings and 3 tournaments for captain; 2/3 of team meetings and 2 tournaments for board member) may run in an election. Additionally, there are restrictions to what leaders of the team can pursue. The team adopted a set of fundamental rules in the fall of 2008, known as the team’s By-Laws, which include general Board responsibilities, general logistic guidelines, and the election processes.
Furthermore, fundraising is an important task for the Wilton High School Debate Team Board because competitions the team participates in usually require a substantial fee. If a tournament costs too much money and the team cannot afford it, the Board will ask students to pay a portion of the fee. In the past, the Board helped raise money for participation in competitions only through school bake sales and a donation by the Rotary Club. In addition to these two sources of funds, the 2012-2013 Executive Board has gained new financial support, including the Wilton Bank, Gregory and Adams P.C., Wilton Pizza, and the Kiwanis Club of Wilton.
2012-2013 Board:
Co-Captains: Paige Wallace ('13) & Gemma Gamberdell ('13)
Board Members: Peter Jensen ('13) & Rachael Jones ('14)
Advisor: Allison Hujar
2011-2012 Board:
Co-Captains: Simon Brewer ('12) & Gemma Gamberdell ('13)
Board Members: Eleanor Clifford ('12) & Mariel Wallace ('12)
Advisor: Barbara Lyons
Co-Captains: Matthew Dec ('11) & Michael Kaelin ('11)
Board Members: Simon Brewer ('12) & Ben Marchi ('11)
Advisors: Fernando Fernandes & Max Gabrielson
2009-2010 Board:
Co-Captains: Matthew Dec ('11) & Michael Kaelin ('11)
Board Members: Will Jankowski ('12) & Ryan Wolpo ('11)
2009-2010 Board:
Co-Captains: Matthew Dec ('11) & Michael Kaelin ('11)
Board Members: Will Jankowski ('12) & Ryan Wolpo ('11)
Advisor: Max Gabrielson
2008-2009 Board:
Co-Captains: Thomas Dec ('09) & Michael Tartell ('09)
Board Members: James Bigelow ('09) & Gillian Gamberdell ('09)
2008-2009 Board:
Co-Captains: Thomas Dec ('09) & Michael Tartell ('09)
Board Members: James Bigelow ('09) & Gillian Gamberdell ('09)
Advisor: Max Gabrielson
2007-2008 Board:
Co-Captains: Thomas Dec ('09) & Michael Tartell ('09)
Board Members: James Bigelow ('09) & Gillian Gamberdell ('09)
2007-2008 Board:
Co-Captains: Thomas Dec ('09) & Michael Tartell ('09)
Board Members: James Bigelow ('09) & Gillian Gamberdell ('09)
Advisor: Joe Dec
2006-2007 Board:
Co-Captains: Thomas Dec ('09) & Purvi Sarup ('08)
Board Members: Alyssa Ray ('07) & Michael Tartell ('09)
Co-Captains: Thomas Dec ('09) & Purvi Sarup ('08)
Board Members: Alyssa Ray ('07) & Michael Tartell ('09)
Advisor: Joe Dec
Team Advisor 2006 and earlier: Max Gabrielson