Debate squad anticipates success during the 2019-2020 season

Delanie Dickens

Reporter

Speech and debate is just one of many opportunities that Crowder offers its students to get involved on campus while making new friends and learning important skills along the way. The squad was recently awarded the top community college honor at the Southwest Baptist University tournament. 

Directed by coach Kristen Stout, speech and debate kicked off their season at the first tournament of the year on Friday, Sept. 20. The season lasts until mid-April, when squad members will attend the national tournament and compete against debaters from schools all over the country.

The team plans to compete on seven weekends before the national tournament. “Some weekends there is a tournament on Friday/Saturday and a new tournament in the same location that happens on Sunday.” Stout explained. “ This allows us to compete in multiple tournaments on the same weekend.”

Seven students have already competed and, while the squad continues to accept new members, that number can be expected to grow as the season progresses.

This season focuses on a variety of issues. The one-on-one debate topic that students will discuss for the entire season is “Resolved: The United States federal government should implement an energy policy that substantially increases investments in one or more of the following domestic energy sectors: nuclear, hydroelectric, geothermal, wind, solar.” Team debates, in two-on-two format, examine separate topics, such as the merits of bilateral versus multilateral trade. 

Many of the activities that the squad competes in will rotate topics in each new round. Stout said, “part of debate is engaging with current events and controversial topics.” While most activities include a predetermined topic,, “many of our students write speeches about topics that are important to them.”

“We have had a lot of fun this year,” Stout concluded, and the team is excited to grow even more as the season continues. 

Any student interested in joining Crowder’s debate squad can contact Kristen Stout by email at kristenstout@crowder.edu.