Meta High School wins the "Say and Contradict" challenge and flies to the nationals

The COA of Torre Annunziata and that of Nocera Inferiore faced each other on Saturday 11 April in the Siani hall of the Oplonti Court for the territorial phase of the national tournament To Say and To Contradict, conceived by lawyers Vincenzo Di Maggio and Angela Mazzia, and now in its sixth year. In a solemn setting, students from the "Publio Virgilio Marone" high school in Meta and the "GB Vico" classical high school in Nocera Inferiore demonstrated maturity, rigor, and surprising rhetorical mastery.

The event opened with official greetings from Attorney Pasquale Damiano, President of the Torre Annunziata Bar Association, who enthusiastically welcomed the students, faculty, and jurors. Also speaking were Attorney Aniello Cosimato, CNF Councilor, and Attorney Anna De Nicola, President of the Nocera Inferiore Bar Association.

The proceedings were introduced by Attorney Maria Formisano, Vice President of the Torre Annunziata Regional Association and project coordinator, and Attorney William Di Nocera, Treasurer of the Nocera Inferiore Regional Association and Tournament coordinator for his office, as well as an OCF member.

The jury that would evaluate the two teams was then introduced: Attorney Biancamaria D'Agostino, CNF Councilor, as President; Professor Silvia Izzo, Associate Professor of Civil Procedure at the University of Cagliari and member of the CNF Research Office; and Attorney Camillo Cancellario, CNF Councilor.

The attending authorities emphasized the Tournament's institutional value and its profound educational impact. The project represents a concrete contribution from the Attorney General's Office in this regard, as the initiative aims to guide younger generations toward a conscious and responsible use of words, adopting them as a truly democratic tool.

The Torre Annunziata COA team, coming from the “Publio Virgilio Marone” high school in Meta (Na), was made up of the following students: Albano Francesca, Cacace Simona, Cappiello Aurora, Cassi Lorenzo, De Maio Stefano, Gargiulo Ginevra, Gargiulo Rosaria Adele, Paola Palomba, Paturzo Vittoria, Pontecorvo Rossella, Porzio Giovanna, Trombetta Salvatore Valerio, accompanied by the Manager, Professor Immacolata Arpino, and by the teachers who followed its preparation: Professor Luis Manuel Grimaldi, Professor Giuseppe Esposito, and Professor Carmela Sicignano.

The COA team of Nocera Inferiore, coming from the Classical High School “GB Vico” of Nocera Inferiore (Sa), entrusted to the Management of the Professor Lucia Federico, was made up of the students: Salvatore Attanasio, Annapaola Battipaglia, Ida Botta, Chiara Marrazzo, Sofia Pacelli, Raffaele Pucci, Giorgia Scarfò, Francesca Tortora, Vittoria Vanacore, Leonilde Vastola, and Giovanni Villani. Teachers in charge and supervisors of the preparation: Professor Paola Schettini e Prof. Pino Visone.

The source of inspiration for the dispute between the two sides was Albert Einstein's famous reflection on peace: "Peace cannot be maintained by force; it can only be achieved by understanding." A debate unfolded that shone through mastery of argument and language, but also through a remarkable ability to listen to one another. Gestures, incisive tones, and calibrated pauses lent further solemnity to the verbal exchange, perfectly in keeping with the symbolic value of the venue and the concentrated and engaged attention of the room.

A theme that harks back to the tensions of the present, marked by the winds of war spreading across vast areas of the world. The COA team from Nocera Inferiore, drawn to open the dispute, has placed emphasis on this very aspect, supporting, with determination and  an effective stage presence, that dialogue and understanding represent indispensable tools for civil coexistence and for building lasting peace.

In response, the Torre Annunziata COA team developed the antithesis, highlighting the limitations of the opponents' argument. Citing jurists, philosophers, and historians, the Meta High School students highlighted how competing interests and power dynamics reduce the chances of a  A dialogue capable of ensuring security and balance between the parties. Without genuine conditions of equality, they argued, dialogue risks losing its effectiveness and generating a peace that is not solidly founded and stable.

In the second round, the tables were turned: each team took the opposite view to the one initially affirmed, managing to present solid counterarguments without undermining the coherence of the discourse, revealing a capacity for adaptation and analysis rare for the young age of the protagonists.

The contest concluded with the verdict announced by the jury's president, Attorney Biancamaria D'Agostino, who, after praising both teams for the quality of their performances—and expressing a veiled regret at the need to single out just one winner—announced the jury's unanimous decision: the victory of the "Publio Virgilio Marone" High School of Meta, which thus advances to the national finals of the "Dire e Contraddire" Tournament, representing the COA of Torre Annunziata in Rome.

The joy was understandable, and the jubilation—composed and respectful—expressed by the Principal, Professor Immacolata Arpino, and by the teachers and students of Meta High School was justified. Their satisfaction with the result did not prevent them from expressing sincere admiration for the opposing team, which they recognized as a tenacious, well-prepared group, fully up to the challenge.

Professor Carmela Sicignano also emphasized the strong bond this experience created among the participants, along with the sense of cohesion that gradually strengthened within the group. She recalled how the students were able to alternate and, when necessary, replace one another, fostering broad and shared participation across the classes. She also expressed gratitude to Attorney Liborio Di Nola, who supported teachers and students as they prepared for the challenge.

The Headmistress, Prof. Immacolata Arpino, highlighted the passionate involvement of the students, even the shyest ones, who  Initially held back by hesitations and fears, they risked obscuring their own abilities, then widely  emerged. «The kids who found themselves in difficulty were truly liberated, and this is the goal of the school.", the Principal stated, also asserting, with legitimate pride, the innovative vocation of her high school. She recalled: "Our classical high school has joined the network of classical high schools on artificial intelligence and data science… we also have the four-year computational linguistics program", demonstrating a constant offering of training tools capable of combining tradition and modernity.

The students were the spokespersons for the winning group. Joseph Salzano e Ginevra GargiuloGiuseppe, a fourth-year student and this is his second experience in the Tournament, described the preparation process and the competition itself as a true learning experience, which allowed him and his teammates to grow, improve, and challenge themselves with new insights, feeling ready for the next challenge. Keeping expectations in check out of superstition, he feels the group is stronger and more determined today.

"We started from afar, and now we're much higher: a journey that has united us and made us grow." Ginevra, a fifth-year student participating for the first time, found a new space in the debate, capable of bringing together theory and current events, what she studies and what's happening in the world. For her, this journey has generated profound reflections and the ability to change one's mind or perspective, to the point of recognizing the true thoughts that each of us carries within ourselves. «This experience helped us to discover our authentic thinking and to become a group.»

Leading the training coming from the “GB Vico” High School of Nocera Inferiore – an important educational institution in the Agro Nocera Sarnese led by the Headmistress, Prof. Lucia Federico –  The professor. Visone Pine, a professor of History and Philosophy, who offered a calm view of his students' experience. He described the sense of dedication and responsibility they had developed along a journey that began in February and culminated in an honorable performance, delivered by rookies, but with quality and mature dialogue in their interactions with their colleagues in Meta.

«But above all" – the teacher underlined – «the boys learned to accept a rigorous selection process that did not guarantee participation in the tournament in advance and, despite this, they participated seriously and with good motivation in the various phases of the institute to compose the team.». Vittoria Vanacore and Chiara Marrazzo conveyed a bright and positive impression of the team and the day's performance. Aware of everyone's commitment, regardless of the final verdict, they appeared satisfied with the result achieved along with their teammates.

Vittoria, a fifth year student and at her second experience in the Tournament, after having expressed deep gratitude towards the teachers Pino Visone and Paola Schettini, who guided them with method and dedication, stated "We competed with heart and commitment: it's not a defeat, it's growth."

Chiara described the thrill she felt upon crossing the threshold of the Siani Courtroom at the Palace of Justice, the venue for the rhetorical challenge. The debate allowed her to challenge herself, facing her fears and difficulties. It was a formative experience in every sense, allowing her to better understand her classmates and to delve into a fascinating and previously unfamiliar professional world. “It was an experience that taught me a lot, especially about myself.”

“Perhaps one day it will be useful to remember these moments too,” declared the students of the Meta high school, borrowing a famous Latin phrase.  A simple, lucid and powerful thought that inspires these young people and allows them to look to the future with confidence and determination.