Speech and Debate

When the average American hears the word debate, they likely think of election season shouting matches that seem to focus on soundbites more than substance. Competitive speech and debate, however, is a much different picture: every position is carefully researched and articulated as participants master the art of argumentation.

The speech and debate team provides a flexible schedule with the option to meet before school at 8 a.m. or after school at 2:45 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Interested students should email team officers and seniors Tyler Kinzy, Yusuf Hacking, Ella Seigel and Laura Young and visit the team’s website for additional information.

What is the purpose of your club?

“We have a saying on our team: trophies melt in the microwave, but memories last forever. Yes, we prepare for tournaments with the hopes of achieving competitive success at the state and national level, but that really only scratches the surface of the value of what we do. Whether I’m cognizant of it or not, I use the skills I work on to win debate rounds in all sorts of different contexts. Speech and debate has changed the way I approach everything from class presentations to the nightly news.”

What is your favorite part of your club?

“Speech and debate, especially here at Parkway West, has a very welcoming culture. It seems contradictory, the idea that this activity that entails getting up in the front of a room and oftentimes speaking alone could be such a great social connector. But when I think about the people I’m still going to be in touch with a year from now, five years from now, twenty years from now, they’re by and large people I got to know through debate. Also, I would be remiss not to mention our coaching staff. They deserve every ounce of praise they get and then some for their speech and debate expertise, but, more importantly, for everything they do for us out of round. I can’t do their commitment to us and our social-emotional wellbeing justice with words.”

Why would you love to have new members join your club?

“I think there’s a misconception that debate only prepares you to be a lawyer or politician. What it really prepares you to be is a critical thinker, and that’s something that matters no matter where you go or what you do. Another misconception is that tournaments are just high schoolers yelling at each other for a couple hours; we also have public speaking and acting events that offer their own host of benefits. Our current team is very senior-heavy, so we’re looking for people to take the torch, reap all of these rewards, develop all of these skills and then pass it on to the next wave of kids because that’s ultimately how educational spaces create lasting change.”