The Randolph Speech & Debate team hosted the 36th annual Fall Classic, with over 800 high school students from New Jersey and Pennsylvania coming to RHS to compete on Saturday, Nov. 23.

The Randolph Fall Classic is one of the biggest tournaments in the New Jersey League. Teams and individuals compete for first, second or third place, to receive a bid to the Tournament of Champions.

“The Fall Classic went great this year,” senior Briana Lange said. “The teams’ efforts allowed us to run such an efficient and fun event.”

To prepare for the event, members of the RHS team decorated the halls with encouraging posters and a photo booth for the competing teams. They also organized the hallways to ensure a quick and efficient tournament that allowed the theme of “fall classic” to come to life.

“It was definitely a big undertaking to run the event, but in spite of everything, it was genuinely such a memorable time,” senior Speech & Debate member Ryan Schorr said.

Between rounds, the RHS students socialized and played card games in the halls with their friends from other schools.

“I love the Randolph Fall Classic because it teaches our students so much responsibility and leadership,” Head Coach Katherine Burke said. “They get to see how much work, effort and time goes into planning a tournament.”

The tournament concluded with Ridge High School placing first, followed by Summit High School in second and Bridgewater High School placing third.

“The Fall Classic is an amazing time that gives students the opportunity to showcase their skills in a fun, communal environment,” guest attendee Jordyn Rubman said.

Randolph competes next on Saturday, Dec. 14, at the Original Oratory Debates, held at Summit High School.