Take On The Debate

This year, students from Columbia University came to help CHAH kids practice for debate. Last year, CHAH won 1st place and is going to strive for 1st place again. The topic right now is if the U.S should or shouldn’t increase the federal minimum wage from $17 to $25.

The debate team meets every Friday in room 401 where the Columbia students come and help them practice. Ms. Murphy, the 6th grade ELA teacher, often supervises in the back as well as, occasionally, Ms. Soni, another ELA teacher. 

At debate competitions, which are usually on a Saturday, the team goes to Columbia University. There, they get into pairs and debate other schools. To start, the judge does a coin toss. If your side wins you get to pick if you want to argue for the argument or against it; your opponent picks whether they want to go first or second. There are 4 rounds of debate, with some held in different rooms or buildings. After the first 2 rounds, the teams get lunch. They go to a room and eat a lot of pizza and drink soda and juices. After the final 2 rounds, the teams go to the auditorium, where the final two pairs debate each other. In the last competition, Maliyah and Edwin won, as they won all 4 rounds and won the final round.  

The last Friday before spring break, the Colombian students that came to our school were Chante Nguyen and Leo Li. I asked them some questions, and here’s what they said.

NK: What is the most controversial question that you had?  

Nguyen: If economy class should be boarded first on a plane.

Li: If it is or is not ageist to not want a baby on a plane.

NK: What do you think was the hardest debate topic and why?

Nguyen: If housing is a human right.

Li: If healthcare is a human right.

NK: What made you want to help CHAH become great debaters?  

Nguyen: I enjoyed watching young people debate at the tournament, and it moved me to help them. I also used to do student government. It was a big part of my life, and I wanted to pass down my knowledge of debating and communicating.

Li: I think debate skills are super important and translational to many different fields. When I was in high school, I didn’t appreciate the necessary skills it required but now I use these skills everyday.

NK: Do you think Debate will be important in the future? Why or why not?

Nguyen: Yes. With technological advancement it will only be more important to be able to talk and value one and other.

Li: I think debate will still be important, because it’s based on necessary public speaking skills that most people do not have. It also teaches people how to be speakers and leaders which can never be replaced.

NK: How did you first join debate or hear about it?

Nguyen: I  volunteered to judge at the most recent debate tournament.

Li: Middle school.

NK: What is your background with it?

Nguyen: I’ve never done formal debate.

Li: I joined debate in middle school.

NK: Did you like debate when you first heard about it? Why or why not?

Nguyen: When I was younger I thought debate was scary because it looked like people were fighting and not solving problems. However, I learned that being able to have a debate in conversation is the first important step to actually solving problems.

Li: Yes, because of the fun bonding activities after school. Because it created a community of students that were super close to each other. When I joined debate, that was still true, but it came with a lot more work than I expected.

NK: What was the easiest debate topic and why? 

Nguyen: Should the SHSAT be abolished? 

Li: Should we ban the sale of firearms to other countries?  

If you love arguing, come to debate so you can put those skills to use. In debate the best arguments win, so it’s essentially a place where you can argue on topics. However, you have to argue for both sides, in case during the debate you don’t win the coin toss. Join debate on Fridays, and remember before you come to ask your 1st period teachers so they don’t mark you absent or cutting. Don’t be afraid to debate. If you have questions, ask Ms. Murphy.