Kearns High School has numerous school clubs and teams. They work hard all year to prepare for different events, competitions, and to develop their skills. The Kearns High debate team is one of them
When you hear the word debate, you may think of things like the presidential debate, which involves two people having an organized argument about a topic. However, there are a lot of other types of debate than just what you might see on the news.
Students taking debate class will study many forms of debate, as well as individual speech events. There are many different types of events, which include elements of improvisation, acting, memorization, thinking on the spot, and proposing your own ideas. By learning how to make a strong case and passionately express an idea, students feel that it has helped their confidence, world knowledge, and advocacy skills. Students on the debate team say: “I enjoy getting to speak on topics I normally wouldn’t…” and “I love learning more about the modern world.” Our debate team is mentored by Amanda Hurd, who also teaches senior English, poetry, and CE writing classes at Kearns. She does a great deal for the team– guiding students through preparing events, leading important class discussions, keeping the atmosphere relaxed and fun, planning social events, organizing the team’s attendance and registration, and overall being an extremely positive and educated coach, according to many students on the team There is also a lot of student involvement, choice, and responsibility that comes with being on the team. You get to pick the event you study and compete in, which also means you have to prepare your own material. There are also a lot of opportunities to work with other people on the team, have “constructive conversations about topics,” get feedback, and even opportunities to compete together in duo events.
According to Margaret Crosby, a first-year competitor on the team, debate is “…a very welcoming and fun atmosphere and teaches you skills that you will use in any job. You don’t even have to speak out in front of people for some events. It has something for everyone.” There are a lot of opportunities to compete- so far, the debate team has already competed in five tournaments this semester. Tournaments usually take place on Fridays and Saturdays, and run for multiple hours a day. Food is usually provided, and transportation to and from school is always available. By attending competitions, you get to spend more time building friendships with teammates, you get to watch other teams, and you get to showcase what you have been working hard on. Exposure to performing in front of audiences and peers is another valuable skill you learn when competing.
Right Now the team is preparing for regions. One of the team captains, Veda Sanchez says, “I’m looking forward to regions. This is my first year as a captain, and second as a debater, and I have never seen so many people do so well and work so hard. I’m so proud of everyone on the team and I can’t even begin to imagine how we are going to do at regions.” Many members are excited for regions, and believe they are going to “crush it.”
Many students on the debate team have won awards from tournaments, but more importantly, they learned a lot of life skills, work and social skills, and about public speaking. “I’ve learned not just how to properly argue, but how to look at both sides of an argument. I feel it’s made me more patient and understanding,” says Veda. She says “I think people should join to not only experience the fun of being on a team, but to also advocate for something you’re passionate about.” Kayden Privett, another member of the team says, “Colleges and Employers like to see that you were on a team, especially on the debate team. [This is] because they know you know how to talk to people, how to research, and how to get your point across usually in a nice way. Debate will also help people in their classes, especially when you have to write an essay. We have to write cases so we can teach you how to write very well.”