The Brewer Foundation and New York University recently announced the high school debate teams advancing to the 'Sweet Sixteen' round of the 25th annual International Public Policy Forum (IPPF), and the Delbarton team of Andrew Kapp '27, Ryan Amin '27, Holden Leidl '27, John Dufner '28, Sebastian Thomas '28 once again made the cut.

This year’s Sweet Sixteen (scroll down for Round of 32 results) were selected from the largest and most internationally diverse field in IPPF history: 332 teams from 30 U.S. states and 39 countries. After narrowing the field to the top 64 in November, the teams entered written single-elimination rounds, exchanging arguments via email to test their research and advocacy skills. That process whittled the field down to 32 teams representing schools in fourteen U.S. states and nine countries, followed by the Sweet Sixteen written elimination round. 

The written debates began in November and successively narrowed the field. The Round of 32 began early January when teams engaged in a written volley on the topic:
“Resolved: The Group of 20 Nations should levy a global education tax equal to 1% of each
member country's gross domestic product to establish a dedicated international organization
that supports the provision of universal, free, quality primary and secondary education.”

A panel of judges evaluated each written debate to select this year’s Sweet 16 teams, 
representing schools from ten U.S states and five countries including the Republics of China, North Korea and Turkey.

“The advancing teams have committed themselves to the research and craft that go into effective public policy advocacy,” says William A. Brewer, Chairman of the Brewer Foundation and Founder of the IPPF. “They have demonstrated exceptional skill thus far, but this final round will determine who earns the opportunity to debate in New York City.”

 Winners of the Sweet 16 round are invited to New York City to compete at the IPPF Finals
on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at NYU School of Law. An Elite 8 teams will compete in
oral debates before a panel of judges that includes professionals from law, business, academia,
and public policy.

Founded in 2001 by the Brewer Foundation and now jointly administrated with NYU, the IPPF is a global debate program open to all high schools and endorsed by major forensic organizations. The Brewer Foundation, a nonprofit supported by donors and Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors, is widely recognized for its educational outreach initiatives.

We congratulate the Delbarton team of sophomore and junior debaters and wish them the best of luck as they continue to navigate the IPPF competitive process!

Results from the Round of 32:

• Kealakehe Public High School from Kailua Kona, Hawaii advanced over Syosset High School from Syosset, New York 

• BASIS International School Shenzhen from Shenzhen, China advanced over Bergen Debate Club from Bergen, New Jersey 

• Jasper High School from Plano, Texas advanced over Seido Mikawadai High School from Nagasaki Japan 

• Ivy Bridge Academy (Team 1) from Johns Creek, Georgia advanced over Greenwich High School from Greenwich, Connecticut 

• Pomperaug Regional High School from Southbury, Connecticut advanced over Carroll Senior High School from Southlake, Texas 

• North Allegheny Senior High School from Wexford, Pennsylvania advanced over Flower Mound High School from Flower Mound, Texas 

• Hamilton High School from Chandler, Arizona advanced over TH School from Hanoi Vietnam 

• Çevre High School from Istanbul, Turkey advanced over The Academy of Classical Christian Studies from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 

• Ivy Bridge Academy (Team 2) from John’s Creek Georgia advanced over Jabberwocky Studio from Delhi, India 

• Delbarton School from Morristown, New Jersey advanced over Grand Oaks High School from Spring, Texas 

• Notre Dame San Jose from San Jose, California advanced over Phillips Academy Andover from Andover, Massachusetts 

• Millburn High School from Millburn, New Jersey advanced over German European School Singapore from Singapore 

• Troy High School from Troy, Michigan advanced over Phillips Exeter Academy from Exeter, New Hampshire 

• Saint Paul Preporatory Seoul from Seoul, Republic of Korea advanced over Nova High School from Davie, Florida 

• Westwood High School from Austin, Texas advanced over Damien Memorial School from Honolulu, Hawaii 

• Marymount Academy International from Montreal, Canada advanced over Northport High School from Northport, New York