Debate Team argues their way through successful first tournament
The bus starts at 6:30 a.m., carrying 12 well-dressed teenagers to Rolling Meadows High School for one thing and one thing only: debate. Around 500 students from 24 schools competed at the debate tournament this past Saturday to argue over nine different bills. A few of the bills debated during this tournament included those regarding organ donation, Israel and Palestine, electric cars, foreign affairs, and public welfare. An important part of this tournament was that for many on the team it was their first in-person tournament in over a year. For some, it was their first ever.
“It was really, really good to be back in person,” said debate coach Dustin Zubert.” We had 12 people compete. There were 24 schools competing.”
The first tournament featured a lot of nervousness from the new debaters. But research was on their side, and overall the tournament went smoothly and was a positive experience necessary to grow as a debater.
“We brought 8 new people there, and I think they were nervous,” Zubert said. “But, after doing it once, they understand much more what a tournament will be like. When we go to the second tournament, they’ll be that much more ahead.”
Although it was the first tournament this year, novice debaters freshman Siena Pietraszak and sophomore Cayman Diep performed exceptionally well, both earning high scores in their respective chambers. In addition, senior varsity debater and captain Shivali Chingre won the best presiding officer award.
“Honestly I did not think I was going to win,” Chingre said. “But I was so pumped, I was so happy… And to hear your name with Grayslake North High School right after it, it felt very good.”
After the successful tournament, the team went out for dinner to catch up and reflect on the day after being separated into different chambers.
“We had a lot of fun,” Chingre said. “We went out for dinner afterward, and we talked and everyone had a lot of fun. It felt like my heart was full.”
After every tournament, each debater improves, and the team’s bond becomes stronger and stronger. Later in the year, Grayslake North will host their own debate tournament, an event for both seasoned debaters and novices to shine after becoming accustomed to debating in person. But the appeal in debate does not necessarily lie in one argument or one tournament, but in the concept itself, and what it means for the future.
“One of my favorite things about a debate tournament is getting on a bus at 6:30 a.m. and having a bunch of 15, 16, 17 year olds, dressed up in suits, talking about politics, economics, or foreign affairs in an educated manner,” Zubert said. ”It makes me feel good about the new generation because there are people who care about what’s happening and can present themselves in a professional manner; it’s very impressive.”
