Page 160 - Carrollton 2019

Debate 101: Not For the Faint o f Fleart

Written by Ariana Arvanitis ’20

Policy debate stands as the universally most competitive form of debate. It demands that students facilitate real-world skills such as critical thinking, oral and written
communication, reasoned and fact-based argumentation, the ability to engage in intense research, and the capacity to establish ideas and articulate them through
professional methods of presentation,.. all Within a matter of seconds.

Each school year, debate teams across the country vote on a "resolution," which is defined as a policy suggestion through the United States
Federal Government around which all debates must center

Therefore, from year to year debaters master knowledge from a wide array of topics. This diversity of topics includes, but is not limited to,
anything from the U.S.' choice to join China's Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, to U.S.-Sino cooperation over space exploration, to
curbing school discipline rates, to managing open educational resources, and to admitting more refugees from the Middle East.

For the 2018-2019 school year, the resolution was "Resolved: The United States Federal Government should substantially reduce its
restrictions on legal immigration to the United States.

The format of policy debate involves the proposal of a "plan” to enact a Federal policy by the affirmative team. This plan must be rooted in
the chosen resolution. On the opposing side, the negative team offers reasons to reject that proposal. Throughout the debate, debaters in a
two-on-two format have the opportunity to deliver a constructive speech, a rebuttal speech, to read evidence to substantiate their claims, and
to cross-examine one another (all of which help students demonstrate a full understanding of the topic.) At the end of the debate, a judge or
panel of judges determines the winner based on the arguments presented.

By the time this season concluded in April, debaters read thousands of articles about immigration and modern politics and likely know as much
about the U.S. legal immigration system as most experts in the field.

May does not spell the end of a debater's hard work though, it rather brings forth a fresh start with an entirely new topic. Preseason
preparations began on the 2019-2020 topic of direct commercial and foreign military sales of arms. So for all high school students involved in
debate, summer is also a busy time of year.

The 2018-2019 academic year's preseason for Carrollton began on June 21 with three of our varsity debaters attending the University of
Michigan 7-week debate camp. This was followed by the entire varsity team attending a 3-week debate camp at Carrollton. For debaters,
debate camp is the best use of the summer as it is an opportunity to take a first crack at the topic with guidance from the best coaches in the
country and improve delivery and research skills.
For the 2019-2020 academic year, preseason began for Carrollton with one rising senior debater attending the University of Michigan 7-week
debate camp, and the entire team attending a 3-week debate camp at Carrollton.

Throughout the year, Carrollton has competed at The Greenhjll Round Robin (TX), The Greenhill Fall Classic (TX), The Chattahoochee
Cougar Classic (GA), The Tradition Cypress Bay (FL), The Heart of Texas Invitational (TX), The University of Michigan High School Debate
Tournament (Ml), The Westminster Tournament (GA), The Pace Round Robin (GA), The Emory University National Debate Institute
Tournament (GA), The Pine Crest Round Robin (FL), The Crestian Policy Classic (FL), University of Georgia High School Bulldog Debate
Tournament (GA), Woodward Academy 1st and 2nd Year National Championship Tournament (GA), The National Debate Coaches
Association Tournament (IL), and the St. Mark's Novice Round Up (TX), Carrollton also had the privilege to host our own second annual
tournament on campus. All of these tournaments took place on the national circuit and each represent teams from over 17 different states.

In recent years, debate has become an increasingly important activity to shape future leaders. An education that has debate as its axis promotes
collaborative problem solving and respect for differing viewpoints in our diverse and global society. The Carrollton debate tearri is proud to
be the nation's only all-female team and nationally ranked team. Carrollton debaters compete rigorously, engage in in-depth research, and are
responsible for all missed work when they travel to represent Carrollton as a Sacred Heart School. Carrollton Debate promotes the importance
of education for young women, especially in such a male dominated field. The competitive and nationwide nature of debate humbles our team
to a great extent, but also serves as a strong source of pride in Carrollton's achievement.

Varsity Team Members:
Cecilia de la Guardia, Jasmine Agreda, Ariana Arvanitis, Emma Beharry, Gabriela Garity, Natalie Giustini, Carolina Perez, Caroline Culmo,
Joana Arvanitis, Cecilia Mestre, Camille Deschapelles, Nina Paneque, Amanda Hernandez
Novice Team Members:

Sofie-Mortensen, Alexandra Faus, Alexandra Menendez, Camila Suarez, Carola Mato, Isabel Alia-Arias, Margarita Miyares, Lucy Malone,
Shannon Feerik-Hillenbrand, T.C. Perez, Cherie Laroche, Emily Lawrence, Olga Sofia Solares
^Coaches:

Dana Randall, David Heidt, and Brett Bricker