Victor Mezacapa is a junior at University School in Hunting Valley. He has competed in Lincoln-Douglas debate for three years, and this year he is the captain of US’s Lincoln-Douglas Debate team. In January, Victor won 1st place at the Laird-Lewis Invitational Tournament in Charlotte, North Carolina. He has competed at the Ohio state tournament for three straight years, winning 2nd place this year. Victor advanced to the elimination rounds at last year’s National Forensic League national tournament and will be returning to nationals this year. At school, Victor enjoys studying science and languages. He takes both Latin and French. He is also interested in physics and medicine. Last summer, Victor completed an internship at the Cleveland Clinic doing research in emergency medicine. This year, he hopes to pursue an internship opportunity at a company specializing in electricity and fiber optics. When he is not working during the summer, Victor enjoys travelling with his family.
Lisa Peng, a Junior at Laurel School, is in her second year as a Lincoln-Douglas debater. Lisa’s academic interests are wide and varied; she has completed AP Courses in US History, Calculus and Chemistry, and is currently enrolled in Multivariable Calculus, AP Biology, AP French, and AP Literature. Aside from academics, Lisa is Treasurer of the Laurel School Government and is a Features Editor for the school’s online news magazine, the Gator Byte. Lisa is also an accomplished pianist, holding an Endowed Preparatory Scholarship in piano at the Cleveland Institute of Music, and serving as the principal keyboardist (piano and organ) for the Contemporary Youth Orchestra. In 2012, Lisa was awarded First Prize in Piano Performance by the Ohio Music Teachers’ Association, and was a finalist in the Lee University International Piano Competition.