The 2018 recipient of the Walick Award is Henry Wade III '19. A current junior, Henry has competed in two-person policy debate at Saint Ignatius earning both varsity and novice state final competition. He is also a mentor to new members of the team. His name will be added to the perpetual plaque in the Fine Arts wing of the main building. Instituted in 1982, the James J. Walick award is given to the underclassman that distinguishes themselves in the competitive categories of speech and debate. The award is dedicated to the memory of James who would have graduated in 1984. James advanced to the Ohio High School Speech League state finals in his second year of competition.
The 2018 Policy and Debate Award winner is Elias Najm '18. Elias has participated in policy debate since his freshman year at Saint Ignatius earning numerous trips to the OSDA finals, national qualifying events and regional awards. A senior, Elias finished in second place state finals in Policy Debate in 2018 and was the recipient of the Phyllis Barton Award for the first place speaker. Elias is a member of one of two teams from Saint Ignatius representing Northern Ohio at the national tournament in the summer of 2018. He has demonstrated excellence in his academics, athletics and community being a true Man For Others.
The "2014" Award is given to recognize the student or students that exemplify the Ignatian qualities of scholarship, leadership, sportsmanship and eloquentia perfecta in the Rhetorical Art of policy debate. John J. Conway '18 has qualified to the OHSSL state finals, competed at the national qualifying tournament and was an octo finalist at the state finals in 2017 and second place in 2018. In his freshman year John became a member of the national honorary forensic society, the National Speech and Debate Association one of the nation’s oldest and largest academic extra-curriculum organizations. John continues to be a competitor in debate and is a member of one of two teams from Saint Ignatius representing Northern Ohio at the national tournament in the summer of 2018. John also is a member of the varsity baseball team while also mentoring other members of the policy debate team.