Griffin Hire: Academic All-American Debates on the Big Stage
In addition to being a clever and high-achieving student, Griffin Hire is an outstanding debater.
In his senior year at Massey Hill Classical High School, Griffin earned the honor of being an Academic All-American, a designation which the National Speech and Debate Association (NSDA) reserves for students who have earned the degree of Superior Distinction, demonstrated outstanding character and leadership and earned a GPA of 3.7 on a 4.0 scale (or its equivalent).
Griffin has qualified for several national competitions and has advanced to elimination rounds in each one he has attended so far, marking him as an exceptional thinker and speaker.
In addition to being excellent, he is charismatic and compassionate, highlighting joy and humanity even in difficult experiences,” said Jessica Osnoe, English teacher and speech and debate coach. “He also has been legacy-minded this year, helping to develop materials to sustain our debate program and support future team members even after he graduates.
“Griffin also has the gift of ‘being freely himself’ everywhere I’ve ever seen him; from familiar classrooms to brand new territories in high-stakes environments, he is outgoing, optimistic, and open to the experience. Griffin is the person who volunteers to run with someone (me) about a mile through an airport to hold the plane for others on the way to NSDA Nationals, all while hopefully saying, ‘maybe this is all the bad stuff happening now, and the rest of the trip will be easier.’ When the trip only gets harder, Griffin is the person whose first thought is to check on his teammates after a building evacuation, making sure everyone he knows is okay.”
In addition to being on Massey Hill’s Speech and Debate team, Griffin is also involved in the Student Government Association, the National Honor Society and the International Thespian Society. Away from school, he is a content creator with over 350,000 followers on TikTok.
Thanks to Griffin’s determination, enthusiasm and infectious personality, Massey Hill’s Speech and Debate team has grown from a handful of members to being the biggest debate program in the county.
“Speech and Debate is the extracurricular that is nearest to my heart,” Griffin said. “Thanks to this club, I wasn't only taught how to use my voice for better purposes, but why it mattered to use it in the first place. Through debate, I have been able to travel all across the country, meet hundreds of like-minded kids who can sharpen my aptitude, and most importantly, bring prestige and honor to Massey Hill. I cannot overstate the impact this activity has had on me; it really has made my high school career entirely worthwhile.”
After graduation, Griffin plans to attend the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and major in political science.
“In an extremely cliché fashion, I found my spark for public policy through congressional debate,” Griffin said. “It occurred to me on a trip through an American history museum, when I realized that every injustice I see that pains me, can be at least slightly remedied by my hardworking compassion and resolve.”
As Griffin moves on to Charlotte, he is thankful for the culture and community at Massey Hill Classical High School, one that he says is unique, welcoming and passionate. Massey Hill is a choice school specializing in classical studies and fine arts. There is emphasis on academics and the arts, as well as the development of character, school pride and civic responsibility in a small school setting.
“The uniquely accepting environment that is cultivated at Massey Hill is one of the things I credit most for my ability to thrive academically,” Griffin said. “This school, and the entire county, doesn't shame someone for wanting to try in their education, and doesn't look down upon those who have passion. Instead, the community of Massey Hill encourages and uplifts its peers to reach greater heights than they think they can. The question asked to achievers is never, ‘why do you care so much?’ but rather, ‘how can you be so driven and passionate?’ and that atmosphere permeates the soul and truly allows for success to flourish.”