Upper School Ethics Bowl Team Names Three New Members, Adds Two Alternates

Congratulations to Sophia Ivy ’29, Chelsea Chen ’28, and Nicole Hoffman ’28, who joined the KPS Upper School Ethics Bowl Team after a competitive application process. Krisana Manglani ’28 and Adaline Spencer ’28 were named alternates — a first for the team — and will participate in all team activities and practices.

“Congratulations to the newest members of our KPS Ethics Bowl Team,” says Karen Rezach, Director of the Ethics Institute. “This year’s tryouts were incredibly competitive, and I’m grateful for all of the students who applied. We’re pleased to have added two alternates to the team this year — something we’ve never done before. With so many strong applications, it gave us the opportunity to include as many students as possible. And with seven seniors graduating, Krisana and Adaline will be essential to ensuring team continuity.”

Sophia, Chelsea, Nicole, Krisana, and Adaline join returning members of the team Ava Builione ’26, Claire Cherill ’26, Annabelle Chow ’26, Supriya Kamilla ’26, Tara Khurana ’26, Katie MacKay ’27, Priyana Manglani ’27, Sarah Mattle ’28, Madeline Mon ’26, Ayushi Wadhwa ’27, and Olivia Zhang ’26.

To apply, 28 students faced two rounds of interviews. The first step was to write an assessment of an ethical case, then present their argument to a panel of judges and answer questions. The students with the top 10 cumulative points moved to the second round, during which they had 15 minutes to read a brand-new case and an additional 15 minutes to present to the judges. The scores were very close — only half a point separated many of the applicants. 

The Ethics Bowl Selection Committee comprised Dr. Rezach; Anna Conti, Associate Director of the Ethics Institute; Walidah Justice, Chief Community Life and Well-Being Officer; Marie Micchelli, Art and Ethics teacher and Coach of the Middle School Ethics Bowl Team, and Lisa Goldman, Bioethicist in Residence and one of the coaches of the high school team. 

 “Our goal,” says Dr. Rezach, “is to regain the New Jersey championship and then move on to the Nationals. I look forward to a great year!” 

The team begins practice in October, in preparation for the New Jersey Ethics Bowl in January. Learn more here.