High School

Last year's resolution

Debate season comes to close

By Shelby Brokaw

January 22, 2008

“The United States federal government should substantially increase its public health assistance to Sub-Saharan Africa.”

You may not have heard about this proposal, but it has been deeply embedded into the brains of debate students across the nation. For members of the Silver Lake debate squad, this was the 2007/ 2008 debate resolution. The topic just recently came to a close in Kansas when the debate season ended earlier this month.

Silver Lake’s squad this year consisted of second-year senior Michelle Taylor, third-year junior Trent Strunk, second-year junior JaVon Martin, second-year sophomores Jerod Barker and Shelby Brokaw, sophomore novices Peter Ruby and Randy Rudolph, and freshmen Jaeton Martin, Jake Maryott, and Nikki Richardson.

The squad began the year with a substitute coach. Due to knee surgery, Gail Naylor, the debate teacher, was out for six weeks and three tournaments. Until her return, Tandy Leinweitter, a substitute teacher, stood in her spot. Leinweitter walked onto the squad with very little experience, but learned quickly.

“It was overwhelming to try and fill in for Mrs. Naylor. I have had little experience with debate, just judging, and the topic is huge this season! I learned so much and enjoyed learning almost all that is involved in debate,” commented Leinweitter.

Leinweitter enjoyed being part of the team because of the interaction she was able to have as a coach with all ten of the members. Leinweitter also got to know a few of last year’s team members, due to their willingness to help out and pitch in while Naylor was gone.

Leinweitter said, “I appreciate the ex-debaters such as Courtney Brokaw and Donnie Hanson who helped with debate. I was proud to have been part of debate and teaching for Mrs. Naylor, who is a good friend and someone who I greatly admire. It is hard to follow in her footsteps!”

For Naylor this was a difficult leave to take, because the squad was comprised predominantly of first-years.

“For me, the most difficult part was giving up control to the squad leaders and a substitute to teach them (the novices) about debate theory, this topic, ad how to win rounds, and since the novices make up 50 percent of the squad, I felt half empty some of this semester!”

The season kicked off successfully, though, as the squad took first in sweepstakes at their second tournament, Manhattan High School. At Manhattan, with an undefeated record, colleagues Taylor and Strunk took first individually and partners Barker and Brokaw obtained sixth. At Paola, Barker and Brokaw took fourth. Then at Jefferson West High School, Rudolph and Martin captured fifth place, while Barker and Brokaw went undefeated and won first.

In December, Taylor, Strunk, Maryott, and Richardson competed at the National Catholic Forensics League qualifying tournament in Marysville. Taylor and Strunk placed third at the tournament, qualifying them for the national tournament, which is to be held in Appleton, Wisconsin over Memorial Day Weekend.

The second national qualifying tournament, for the National Forensics League, was held in January. Taylor, Strunk, Barker, and Brokaw represented Silver Lake. After two losses, a team would be eliminated from the tournament. Barker and Brokaw went two rounds, while Taylor and Strunk went six rounds, placing fourth and just missing qualification to the national tournament by two places.

“Getting fourth at NFL was awesome because we were definitely not expected to do well,” noted Taylor.

The squad then competed at their regional four-speaker tournament, where one team affirms the resolution every round and another team negates it each round. (In two-speaker debate, a pair of collegues works as a single unit, debating on both the affirmative and negative sides.) Taylor and Strunk competed on negative, Barker and Brokaw debated on the affirmative, and Martin and Martin went as alternates. Out of the six competing schools Rock Creek took first, Sacred Heart second, and Silver Lake third, all qualifying to compete at the state 3-2-1-A four-speaker competition.

The state competition was held on Jan. 11 and Jan. 12 in Garden City. Wichita Independent placed first, Rock Creek took second, and Sterling placed third. Silver Lake ended the tournament with a 7-9 record.

With such a small squad, full of novices, there was only one senior to guide the way.

“My appreciation and gratitude go to Michelle Taylor, the lone senior leader, who helped the entire squad in numerous ways!” said Naylor.

Though she was only her second year in debate, Taylor had grown attached to the activity and wished to leave some inspiring words behind for the squad.

“First, I want to say thank you for the great year this year. It was so easy to be a senior leader on this squad. I especially want to thank Trent…I could not have had a better debate partner. Second I want all of you who decided not to go out next year to reconsider, everyone has so much potential…This program is dying and it is you that is keeping it alive. I wish you all a great season next year, and I will definitely be around to help out and see you all,” said Taylor.

As for next year, there is high hope, a topic over alternative energy sources, and a young squad to keep the activity of debate alive.

Naylor remarked, “I can so clearly see the illuminating potential of all of these younger students and a few shining stars rising on the horizon. We will be better next year, but I want us to absolutely have a passion for alternative energy. I love this new topic for students!”