The debate team is starting out strong, especially when there’s a new head coach: Tim Phillips. So far, the team has won their first tournament on Sept. 22. Senior Anna Dowd, junior Ashika Shah, senior Brandon Medina and senior captains Harry Patel and Ronak Patel all won first place in their chambers. From now on, their expectations for future tournaments, the closest being the Stevenson Tournament on Oct. 12-13 and the Hoffman Tournament on Nov. 12, are very high.
“In all reality, [we’d like] to finish in first place for every tournament,” Ronak Patel said.
Meetings and practices take place every Monday and Wednesday for two hours. The team specializes in congressional debate– to imitate roles of the congress and to debate America’s bills or resolutions. Additional coaches Matthew Bohnenkamp, Rebecca Jordan and Kevin Poduska are there to aid and support the team, as well as head coach Phillips.
“I think they’re doing a really great job right now– keeping everything under control, taking our opinions under consideration,” Harry Patel said. “They’re listening to us and giving us the confidence we need.”
The debate team is still on a scout for new members. To be on the team means work, but also it looks magnificent on the resume. All grades are able to join, and new members are welcome at any time.
“It is never too late to join debate,” Jordan said. “We would like to have additional students join our winning team.”
By: Morgan Loxely