Page 155 - 1991.Millard.North

Trophies Line Debate Walls

Benefits Outweigh Work Say Debators

Steve Van Buren
Walking into the debate room, people Milliken described a good debator as "a
would discover one of the most decorated rooms in hard worker who has tremendous self-discipline
the school. They would be greeted by the numer- and drive."
ous trophies that lined the walls, representing the These qualities were taught from the very
year of success that the debators had. Taking a beginning in Debate I. Students learned basic
closer look, they would find that many of them argumentation theory and research and delivery
read "1st place team." skills. Then students could use these skills in l
Not only as a team, but individually, advance debate classes where they would focus on
debators took top honors at numerous competi- tournament competition strategies.
tions. Policy and Lincoln-Douglas debate were
liken, debate improved in all divisions throughout debate. Policy debated issues, probabilities, and !
According to Debate Coach Scott Mil- offered to those students going on to advanced
the season. This was due to the senior leadership implementation of plans, while Lincoln-Douglas, I
and the over 60 students who competed on a according to Senior Amy Straub, "deals with val-
weekly basis for the school. ues, and is geared much more towards philosophy
Senior Julie Gniffke, a debator for four and moral issues than policy debate."
years, looks at debate as a very positive experi- Senior Brian Ray summed up the debate
ence. "Being in debate for four years has defi- program, "Debate, besides being a wonderful
nitely taken a great deal of my time and effort; institution, allowed students to look at real world
however, the hard work has had many educational problems in a manner where students actually had
and social benefits" Gniffke said. power to change the world ... scary huh."

Successful debate requires much thought an preparation. Junior
Natalie Edmonds looks over her case before a round at Millard
South. (J. Bums)

Sophomores Kyle Norman, Johnathan Cohn, Derik Wild pass
time between rounds with a stimulating game of chess. Debaters
spent as many as 18 hours of their weekend at tournaments.
(1. Bums)
Lincoln-Douglass Debate: front-Amanda Straub, Kelly Frederickson, Hope Dameier, Trasi Martin, Lisa Noble; back-Mike
Bassik , John Hiscock, Mike Morrison, Jeff Brinkman, Charles Morgan, Brian Ray, Julie Downey, Di Thompson (C. Hooper)

Debate