Debate is not a physical activity like football or basketball, but an intellectual one. The nice thing about debate is that you get to hear the other side of the argument you’re debating on. Unlike football and basketball where talent can be separated by pure athleticism, if you prepare for your debate correctly and use your words effectively anyone can get good at debating.

Q: For anyone who doesn’t know, what is debate?

“Debate is a class which prepares debaters for tournaments on the weekends. We focus on policy debate. This year’s topic is intellectual property,” coach David Stephens said.

Q: What were some strengths and weaknesses this season?

“We only had first and second year debaters this year, so we didn’t have any really experienced leaders to guide some of the newer students,” Stephens said.

Q: What is your favorite memory from this season?

“My favorite memory is when some novice debaters got 5th place when they went out to compete for their first time,” Stephens said.

Q: What are you looking forward to for the debate team in the future?

“I’m looking forward to new topics next year that might engage a different set of debaters,” Stephens said.

Q: How long have you been on the debate team?

“I just started debate this year, so since the beginning of the school year,” freshman Taylor Bench said.

Q: What has been your favorite event?

“I have only been to one Tournament so far, but it was a good experience. My partner Layne and I went 4-1 our first time and got 5th place, so it was a pretty good experience,” Bench said.

Q: What is your favorite part about debate?

“I really like the debating part about debate. I think it’s fun to have logical arguments against others versed in the same topic because it lets you see the other side of an argument,” Bench said.