Sports. Performing Arts. Music. Clubs. These are just some of the things that are offered to all students at Greeley. However, a change was made this year. The Speech and Debate Club, which has historically been a popular club, is being run in a new way.
At Greeley, many students are interested in speaking about their passions, topics of interest, or current events. This year, they had the opportunity to join the HGHS Debate Team. According to an email sent home in September by Assistant Principal Dr. Gamma, the team was restructured this year, transitioning from its traditional format as a club to a team. The team now has a coach and practices.
Debate is an activity with many complexities and styles. Every member of the HGHS Debate Team uses one distinct style of debate. Sophomore and debater Saket R. says, “The Greeley Debate Team does a specific style called Parliamentary Debate, and it is usually shortened to just Parli among debaters. Parli debate is meant to replicate the British Parliamentary system, with teams of two v[ersus] two getting their motion, which is what they will be debating, and having a small amount of time to prepare their arguments. It is a lot of thinking on your feet, and it is such a thrill.”
A PTA grant for the debate team was approved at a Board of Education meeting, which will allow for the handful of students who participate in styles other than Parliamentary to attend those competitions.
Regarding the detailed practice schedule and what goes into preparing for a competition, Saket says, “We have practices every Monday and Thursday. On Fridays before a competition, we meet again to prepare.” During the preparation days, “[t]he first thing we do are drills. These consist of giving a speech on a random topic with only a few minutes of preparation, practicing your note taking, or working on your speaking ethos. The next thing we do is ask questions. Right before a tournament, there is a lot of anxiety and questions about what we have to do, so we take time to answer them. Finally, we try to predict what might be a topic at that tournament, in order to better prepare.”
ENL teacher Ms. Harrison was announced, in Dr. Gamma’s email, as the first HGHS Debate Team coach. In this role, Ms. Harrison supports and guides the members of the team through their practices and competitions, allowing the team to be successful.
Ms. Harrison shares, “In previous years, debate was a club, not an official team. It was started by Mr. Jagels and then passed to Mr. Witmer, both of whom are retired now. At the beginning of this school year, the CCSD Board of Education approved the creation of a team, knowing that this means there are three to four practices a week and high expectations regarding attendance and focused participation.”
Regarding their success this year, Saket shares, “Right now, the team’s success cannot be quantified because this is our first year doing Parli exclusively. As of now, the team has been doing really well and is on track to win a tournament!”
The HGHS Debate Team has allowed for students who are passionate about debate and various topics present in our world today to use their voice and participate in something that means a lot to them. Greeley is excited to see what the team will accomplish this year, and looks forward to its future success.
