Bob Shurtz Inducted into Debate Hall of Fame
Upper School science and math teacher Robert “Bob” Shurtz was one of two inductees to the Ohio High School Speech League Hall of Fame in a ceremony preceding the state tournament at Boardman High School March 1. Shurtz and co-inductee Kathy Patron of Perry High School were selected by statewide head coach vote. David Korngold, a Hawken alum and past state champion in Lincoln-Douglas debate, gave the nomination speech at the induction ceremony.
Shurtz has been a Hawken speech and debate coach for the past 28 years. He also has 10 years of service on the Cleveland District Speech League and the North Coast National Forensic League Committees. Other past awards and designations include MIT Inspirational Teacher Award, selection as US Physics Team coach, and four years as co-director, and chair of the National AAPT High School Committee, as well as Ohio APPT president. His nomination on the Hall of Fame voting ballot noted, “Few coaches in Ohio have the amazing record that Bob has amassed, with students finishing in the finalist positions in many prestigious tournaments in a variety of events, while serving on the leadership teams at the district level and working to improve the quality of competition statewide.”
When Shurtz is asked to name some of the highlights of his long and distinguished career, he includes: “The second in state in team sweepstakes in 2004; the second in the nation in Public Forum at the 2003 NFL national tournament.” Other highlights include recent Hawken Speech and Debate accomplishments, including the first place finishes in Public Forum at Stanford in 2012, and the Public Forum firsts in the Bronx, Blake Round Robin, and Laird-Lewis competitions this year.
Back
Shurtz has been a Hawken speech and debate coach for the past 28 years. He also has 10 years of service on the Cleveland District Speech League and the North Coast National Forensic League Committees. Other past awards and designations include MIT Inspirational Teacher Award, selection as US Physics Team coach, and four years as co-director, and chair of the National AAPT High School Committee, as well as Ohio APPT president. His nomination on the Hall of Fame voting ballot noted, “Few coaches in Ohio have the amazing record that Bob has amassed, with students finishing in the finalist positions in many prestigious tournaments in a variety of events, while serving on the leadership teams at the district level and working to improve the quality of competition statewide.”
When Shurtz is asked to name some of the highlights of his long and distinguished career, he includes: “The second in state in team sweepstakes in 2004; the second in the nation in Public Forum at the 2003 NFL national tournament.” Other highlights include recent Hawken Speech and Debate accomplishments, including the first place finishes in Public Forum at Stanford in 2012, and the Public Forum firsts in the Bronx, Blake Round Robin, and Laird-Lewis competitions this year.
An independent, coeducational, college preparatory day school, toddler through grade 12
Early Childhood, Lower, and Middle Schools, 5000 Clubside Rd, Lyndhurst, OH 44124
Birchwood School of Hawken, 4400 West 140th Street, Cleveland, OH 44135
Upper School, PO Box 8002 (12465 County Line Rd), Gates Mills, OH 44040
Mastery School of Hawken, 11025 Magnolia Dr, Cleveland, OH 44106
Gries Center, 10823 Magnolia Dr, Cleveland, OH 44106
Early Childhood, Lower, and Middle Schools, 5000 Clubside Rd, Lyndhurst, OH 44124
Birchwood School of Hawken, 4400 West 140th Street, Cleveland, OH 44135
Upper School, PO Box 8002 (12465 County Line Rd), Gates Mills, OH 44040
Mastery School of Hawken, 11025 Magnolia Dr, Cleveland, OH 44106
Gries Center, 10823 Magnolia Dr, Cleveland, OH 44106
Directions | Log in | 440-423-4446