Georgia CommonsHR 1481: Cedartown High School Debate Team; winning the 2026 Parliamentary Debate World Competition; commend
Last action February 25, 2026 · House Read and Adopted
A Georgia House resolution commends the Cedartown High School Debate Team for winning first place overall at the 2026 Parliamentary Debate World Competition in Japan.
The summaries below were written by an AI model (claude-sonnet-5) from the text of the resolution and are not part of it. Quote the text, not the summary. The stored text is the Introduced version, the latest LegiScan holds.
In plain language
This is a commendation resolution from the Georgia House of Representatives, not a change to state law. It honors the Cedartown High School Debate Team, made up of students Armando Penaloza, Anna Vainrib, and Ande Kate Roper, for winning the 2026 Parliamentary Debate World Competition held in Kumagaya City, Japan, from February 6 through February 8, 2026. The team went undefeated with six wins and zero losses, beating Hungary in the championship finals for first place overall against ten teams from six countries. The resolution also thanks the team's advisor, Mrs. Jennifer Cupp, and the students' families for their support. It directs the Clerk of the House to distribute copies of the resolution to Cedartown High School, the Polk School District, the team, their coach, and their families.
What the bill does
- Formally commends and congratulates the Cedartown High School Debate Team for winning the 2026 Parliamentary Debate World Competition.
- Recognizes team members Armando Penaloza, Anna Vainrib, and Ande Kate Roper and their advisor Mrs. Jennifer Cupp by name.
- Extends the House's gratitude to the families of the team members for their support.
- Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to distribute copies of the resolution to the school, school district, team, coach, and families.
Who it affects
The resolution directly names Cedartown High School, the Polk School District, three student debate team members, their coach Mrs. Jennifer Cupp, and their families. It also involves the Clerk of the House, who must prepare and distribute copies of the resolution.
Why it matters
The resolution carries no legal or financial effect and changes no Georgia law. Its significance is symbolic: it gives official state recognition to a Polk County school's students and coach for an international academic achievement, which the school and community can point to publicly.
Key provisions
- The resolution's whereas clauses describe the competition, held in Kumagaya City, Japan, from February 6-8, 2026, with ten teams from six countries.
- The team finished with a perfect six wins, zero losses record and beat Hungary in the finals for first place overall.
- The resolving clauses commend the three named students and their advisor and thank their families.
- The final clause directs the Clerk of the House to distribute copies to the school, school district, team, coach, and families.
From the bill
“the Cedartown High School Debate Team achieved a perfect record of six wins and zero losses, advancing undefeated through all rounds of competition”
“the members of this body commend and congratulate the Cedartown High School Debate Team—Armando Penaloza, Anna Vainrib, and Ande Kate Roper—and their advisor, Mrs. Jennifer Cupp, upon winning First Place Overall”
Status timeline
- House Read and Adopted (House)
- House First Readers (House)
- House Hopper (House)
Sponsors
- Trey Kelley (R, HD-016)
- Tyler Smith (R, HD-018)
- Matthew Gambill (R, HD-015)
- Yasmin Neal (D, HD-079)
Topics
- Cedartown High School
- debate team
- Polk County schools
- student achievement
- House resolution