The debate team is getting ready to go to their first out of town tournament, in Jefferson City, on Friday, Jan. 31 during third hour. The team of 40 will participate in both Speech and Debate competitions.
“I am excited to debate because I am participating in the Public Forum Debate with my partner Noreen Webster and Oratory Debate. This competition is fun because the only other out of town tournament we have is at Bradley University, and it is really competitive. So in this one we can have fun and enjoy it,” senior Ezgi Ilhan said.
The Public Forum is the topic of the debates that changes monthly. This month’s topic is military and development aid in the Saheal region of Africa. The Policy Topic remains the same throughout the year. This year it is the federal governments aid to Cuba, Mexico, or Venezuela.
“This forum relates to me because I am a pacifist but I believe that it demands military attention by first world countries,” Webster said.
The levels of competition include only regular and champ, missing the category novice, which is specific to this tournament. The first year of debate, participants can compete in the novice category and every other year after they can compete varsity. Anyone can sign up to compete at the tournament.
“When I was a novice, I remember my first tournament so well because the bus ride home was so fun. The older kids talked and hung out with us. We played stuff like Never Have I Ever and it was really fun. That is why we try to get to know all the new competitors,” Ilhan said.
The forums relate to world topics relevant for citizens worldwide, making participants more educated on controverters.
“I like debate because it is an activity where you need to use your brain. It also helps you become more aware of what is going on in the world,” Webster said.
The team is hopeful they will do well even though they have not competed yet this semester.
“This tournament is going to be good because it is one of the two out of town competitions we go to as a team. Also, we have lots of friends that we have made through debate that we get to see at this tournament,” Webster said.
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