Each year, grade 7 students learn research, non-fiction reading, writing and public speaking skills through a extensive unit on debate. The entire grade 7 class works for an extended period of time researching and formulating points and counterpoints to be debated in class. From there, eight students are chosen based on in-class performance to participate in a final debate in front of the entire Middle School on the Hurlbut Theater stage.

 

The following is a story about the debate written by grade 8 students Sarah Pence and Logan Wojcik, who participated in the final debate last year as grade 7 students.

 

 

“It is resolved that the United States Government should increase spending to promote equitable access to high quality education.”

 

Last week, the entire Middle School gathered in the Hurlbut Theater to watch as eight grade 7 students debated the pros and cons of this resolution to see which team would come out victorious. On the pro side of the resolution, arguing for the U.S. government to increase spending on education, was Preston Brinker, Madison White, Charles Ihara, and Sasha Kuljis. On the con side of the resolution, arguing against increased spending, was Ava Lentz, Celeste Taylor, Trey Kingsley and Alana Godfrey. In the end, after more than 30 minutes of heated debate, the arguments of the con team prevailed in a close debate.

 

The debate was judged by Academic Dean Jeneen Graham, Breakthrough San Juan Capistrano Director Victor Cota, Lower School Assistant Principal and STEM Fellow Heather Murray. Director of Library Services Darla Magana was timekeeper and helped with the logistics of the unit.

 

This year’s debate argued a hot topic regarding the future of education in the U.S. While the resolution presented is controversial, the students used their extensive research and honed debate skills to firmly support their positons, and showed a definite grasp of the subject matter.

 

The debate process consisted of nine time slots. To begin the debate, the pro construction began with the opening statement. The con cross examination followed directly after, and then came the con construction, with the pro cross examination following that. After a short break, the pro rebutter gave opposition towards the con’s arguments, and the con rebutter gave opposition towards the pro’s arguments. To finish the arguments with closing statements, the pro and con teams both gave their rejoinders.

 

In addition to the eight who participated in the debate, 32 students earned notable performance certificates for their strong efforts during the in-class debates—Molly Allison, Autumn Almanza, Bridget Beall, Merielle Billyou-Palmer, Charlie Cancellieri, Kate Cruse, Reid Davis, Alex Fournier, Alex Georgiades, Reid Graham, Matt Groeninger, Halen Hickman-Goveia, Parisa Khashayar, Conrad Kistler, Richard Lu, Peter Mack, Ella Martlin, Ansley McKechnie, Dylan Meeks, Emelie Miller, Melia Norwood, Justin O’Donnell, Olivia Ostlund, Caroline Sele, Cyrus Shirangi, James Taschner, Harrison Trikas, Daniela Uribe, Leah Weiss, Charlie Whiting, Morgan Williams and Dean Woods.