NADEEM FAROOQI MEMORIAL DEBATER OF EXCELLENCE AWARD

Nadeem Farooqi was one of the best examples of what makes Damien Debate a program of high excellence. Nadeem’s four-year career resulted in a stronger team community, a wider sense of compassion across the nation’s debaters, and nearly unrivaled excellence at a competitive level. A member of the Class of 2011, Nadeem unfortunately passed away on on December 4^th, 2020.

As a TOC semi-finalist, Damien valedictorian, and the only Damien student to receive the one-of-a-kind Julia Burke Award, Nadeem shone far and above while still having the humility and good nature to help even the least of us be a bit better at debate, a bit kinder to each other, and a bit more generous with any stranger we encounter. The Nadeem Farooqi Memorial Debater of Excellence Award will be given to a Senior debater competing and/or judging at the Chuck Ballingall Memorial Invitational each year as an effort to share the incredible person that Nadeem was with each next generation of debate. Students who should be nominated will demonstrate the following qualities:

1. Academic excellence—Please submit an unofficial transcript of your nominee. While grades are not the deciding factor, Nadeem’s academic excellence (he was recognized as the Class Rank 1 student several times and was valedictorian) was a key component to who he was as both a person and a debater.

2. Narrative of excellence in debate—Please share a few paragraphs regarding the nominee’s competitive and community successes. Please look to the Julia Burke Foundation for insight into what a person like Nadeem was like for the debate community:

“The purpose of this award is to recognize a high school policy debater who achieves competitive excellence in high school policy debate on the national circuit, and who demonstrates goodness of heart despite the pressures of competition at the highest level.” 

3. Mental Health—Please demonstrate the ways in which your nominee positively contributes to the mental health culture of your team, school, or community. Mental health was a central aspect of Nadeem’s advocacy, professional, and community care work.

4. Good Humor—Our coaching staff remembers Nadeem through his competitive successes and in the ways that he made us laugh and love Damien Debate. All of our best stories from the time he was competing involved something funny Nadeem observed, said, or did. His joy inspired our community, so please, share with us how your nominee inspires joy.

Please send your nominations to tlewis@damien-hs.edu no later than September 24^th, 2022. The award will be determined by a committee including members of Nadeem’s family and the Damien Debate coaching staff.