Ina B. Durham Annual High School Ethics Case Competition
About the Competition
Clemson University’s Ina B. Durham Annual High School Ethics Case Competition engages high school students in a hands-on, methodical approach to solving ethical dilemmas in a professional setting. Teams of two high school students propose a solution to an ethical dilemma using the Clemson University STAR Decision-Making Model in front of a panel of professional judges. Up to two teams per high school are allowed to compete.
Friday, March 6th, 2026 | In-Person Competition at Clemson University
Friday, March 27th, 2026 | Virtual Competition via Zoom
2026 Registration Coming Soon!
2025 Case Competition Information Packet
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Reasons to Participate:
- Gain exposure to realistic ethical dilemmas
- Understand that dilemmas occur everywhere and every day to everyone who makes choices
- Experience with decision-making in pressured and time-restrictive situations at a leadership level
- Participation can be featured on a resume or college application
- Opportunity to network with other high school students, Clemson University students, staff, faculty, and admissions professionals
- Monetary prizes for the winning teams
Congratulations to our 2025 High School Ethics Case Competition Winners!
2nd place: Caidyn Schmidt & Sahasra Datla from Independent School (PA & NJ)
3rd place: Arham Huq & Andie Ingraham from Research Triangle High School (Research Triangle Park, NC)
Thank you to all our 2025 competing teams:
• Chapman High School (Inman, SC): Gwenivere Brown & Rachel Timmons | Arden Sinclair & Evangelina Ballew
• Christ Church Episcopal School (Greenville, SC): Amanda de Leon & Jonathan Thompson
• Cross Homeschool: Henry Cross & John Cross
• Independent School (NJ & PA): Caidyn Schmidt & Sahasra Datla
• Maclay School and Christ Classical Academy (Tallahassee, FL): Reid Roberts & Owen Mitchell
• Powdersville High School (Powdersville, SC): Trey Taylor & Yael Varvara | Kimberly Ellis & Anna King
• Research Triangle High School (Research Triangle Park, NC): Arham Huq & Andie Ingraham | Mariam Hanafy & Smriti Jagannathan
• Seneca High School (Seneca, SC): Landon Lyle & Ethan Sullivan | Ava Alexander & Emma Dover
• St. Joseph’s Catholic School (Greenville, SC): Lilly Painter & Catherine Lynn
• Summerville High School (Summerville, SC): Grace Hough & Emilia Markovic
• Westminster Catawba Christian School (Rock Hill, SC): Ana Catalina Salas & James Reinhardt | Ida Hall & Sophie Sherer
• Westside High School (Anderson, SC): Kiley Seaver & Krish Kumar | Vanya Lopez Escalera Perez & Riley Hayes
Previous Case Competition Winners:
2024 Face-to-Face Competition Winners
1st place: Daniel Parker & Kole Mills from Westside High School
2nd place: Kiley Seaver & Krish Kumar from Westside High School
3rd place: Natalia Salas & Catalina Salas from Westminster Catawba Christian School
1st place: William Davies & Rylee Cowan from Westside High School
2nd place: Autumn Burkett & Caroline Barnnette from Westside High School
3rd place: Alice Story & Ellison Berry from Seneca High School
1st place: Yani Xia & Dora Wen from Niskayuna High School and Emma Willard School
2nd place: DeeDee Herrington & Emma Sullivan from St. Mary's High School
3rd place: Kevin Lee & Kevin Nie from Albany Academy and Stuart Hall High School
Specific questions regarding the Ina B. Durham Annual High School Ethics Case Competition can be directed to ethics@clemson.edu.
