The debate team has done many different things to prepare for the season such as work days, staying after school, research, and practice rounds. The topic this year is Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially curtail its domestic surveillance.

“The squad is doing well. We have had some reorganization of partners or as Rimmey calls them ‘divorces’,” Chris Gernon, junior, said. “The first tournament I went to, we got first at sweepstakes, which is pretty good. So as a whole the squad is doing pretty nice.”

The team is fairly young and therefore many of the newer debaters have had to step up for the team this year.

“We have some really strong novices and second year debaters who have a lot of talent and are competing in the open division,” Colton Glasscock, senior, said.

The team has faced its ups and downs through this year, but feel they have made the necessary improvements in order to be successful.

“I think one of the biggest challenges was finding a partner that was equally dedicated, but that is just a personal challenge I have had to deal,” Glasscock said. “We as a squad have struggled with organization and overall dedication.”

Each plan in debate is unique and the debaters never know what to expect when they enter each round.

“In a debate round is kind of like survival of the fittest. You just get out there and try to survive,” Gernon said. “Sometimes the opponents have some arguments which you do not know what to reply to, but you will just try and get them next time.”