Page 132 - Yggdrasil 2020

Debate
ByArianaArvanitis 20
JfeTrh.hMocydmsroom.l*e Uni«iJ/ofKenluelyinLe^nglon never been there. When Ijoined the policy debate team four years ago
the intricacies o f debate and the people and places debate would introduce L toandtakemetowereallforeign.Iventuredofftomyfirsttournarnent at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor that fateful November ,n 2016 completely unaware o f the depth o f knowledge I was about to acquire and the fulfilling debate career I was about to establish.
From an innocent novice, to a determined juriior varsity team member, to a diligent senior varsity leader, I progressed and matured stedily. My teammates and I formed new arguments out o f our discussions about the secondary education system, our analysis o f arms sales across different countries, and
our dissections of global immigration policies. We learned to speak quickly ^ while wiring our brains to process even more quickly. We r^astered composing well researched speeches in seconds, along with the art o f articulatirng our thoughts clearly on complex matters. All of this was completed simultaneously with making enough memories and bonds to last a lifetime.
Between tournaments and various debate summer institutes, I m et people who I otherwise would have never had the opportunity to know. These were all individuals with distinct backgrounds and beliefs, traveling all the way from San Jose, to New York City, to Nashville. These people were frieds at the^^ summer institutes and opponents at tournaments. I use the word opponent with caution, as I understand that the word "opponent" bears a negative connotation, conjuring up images of players jockeying for power. Debate has taught me that coming face to face with these opponents was actually critical to learning something new. These individuals I met were not stereotypical argumentative, stubborn opponents who were only driven to win, rather opponents in the way I've come to redefine the word: colleagues of equal standing with diverse perspectives who pushed me to be my best self
As the four years passed, teammates and opponents came and went, and
so did arguments as we created new ones, leaving the old ones behind. It is ofiien said that time is a steady, flowing river. But, it is also said that, time flies when you're having fun." After analyzing both maxims. I've decided the logical conclusion is that yes, time raced along when my partner Emma Beharry
'22 and I were in debate rounds, heedfully arguing back and forth with our opponents from across the country, and masterfully deploying the strategies we had prepared. But at the same time, my four years streamed firmly and
my time was well spent despite ending with an unpredictably abrupt halt.
Even though we never got our fair and final shot at debating our way to the finals round of the national championship, disappointment does not taint my memories of my time on the debate team.
The advice I would like to offer all debaters is to cherish every moment.
Both the wins and the losses are worth celebrating, because even in a
losing round, you certainly learn something new about yourself your partner, your opponents, and the topics discussed in a debate round that are so pertinent, yet nothing you would ever discuss casually across the dinner table. Knowledge gained, the memories made with teammates, opponents, and friends, and the places you will travel to are all always worth celebrating
because even with 2020 vision, you never know when a global pandemic may strike.
The policy debate season, like all other activities, was terminated upon news ofthe rapid spread ofCOVID-19.The University ofGeorgia Bulldog Debate Tournament was, unknowingly at the time, Carrollton's final tournament o f the 2019-2020 season. Carrollton's five varsity seniors gave their final speeches at this tournament blissfully unaware that afiier four years o f determination and resilience in the face o f the most notoriously challenging extra-curricular, it would be their last ones.
Policy debate is heavily reliant on person-to-person contact as debaters actively listen to each other, ask each other questions, shake hands after each round, and make eye contact with the judges in an effort to be more persuasive. Those actions, however, may no longer take place given that nothing but distance must now remain between individuals.
Instead o f viewing the pandemic as an excuse to take a break, Carrollton debate has actively chosen to stay true to its motto "no days off' and begin to research and practice for the next 2020-2021 debate season albeit virtually. Carrollton's debaters have mastered the transition to virtual learning by continuing to partake in practice debates, execute drills, converse with their partners, and listen to lectures by Carrollton's debate coaches - all tJirough their computers.
Policy debate has already weathered transitions, including one from evidence carried in tubs o f paper to a format based on paperless files. Now, the pandemic has forced debate into a temporary, but still impactful transition from face-to-face practice, competition, and feedback to a fully virtual platform. Despite this, Carrollton's debate team is ready to adapt, entering this fall's unprecedented season more equipped to succeed than ever.