Debate team members at recent competitions at Valdosta State University.

Thomas County Central High School Debate team members are arguing and analyzing their way to potential championships this year.

Nine students competed in the 2016 VSU Blazer High School Invitational debate tournament on Oct. 1. Twelve students competed at the Wildcat Classic at Valdosta High School held Oct. 15 in Lincoln-Douglas and Public Forum debate. Because of their showings in these competitions, several students have qualified for the first/second year debate championship in early 2017.

“Our team has shown increased commitment this season, as demonstrated through several students winning recognition at the early season tournaments and qualifying for post-season competition,” Coach Brian Bellamy said. “I’m very excited about our progress.”

TCCHS is a member school in the Georgia Forensic Coaches Association (GFCA), which means its members are able to compete in invitational tournaments to earn slots to GFCA state championship events, held in February and March 2017, depending upon skill level. Students who have qualified, so far, include: Michael Cress, Jashon McDuffie, Dylan Halphen, Jesse Stone, Taylor Smith, Shadrick Hollis and Kennedy Ward.

Michael Cress, who is in Bellamy’s mock trial class, “has expanded his focus on his speech and analytical skills by competing regularly in debate, which has earned him the needed tournament credentials to compete post-season,” according to Bellamy.

Junior Kennedy Ward won first place speaker in Novice Lincoln-Douglas debate during the Oct. 15 event.

“I competed in four rounds of debate in which I argued whether or not nuclear power was banned,” she said. “Placing first was exciting because it was only my second time competing. I joined debate to help prepare me for college and my career. I plan to major in political science and continue into law school.”

Ward adds her competition area allows her to advance her ability to argue and learn to compose a structured argument.

Also, sophomore Taylor Smith received a fifth-place speaker medal in Novice Public Forum debate. Smith, 15, is interested in a law career and joined debate to “enhance my ability to argue.” Bellamy said Smith shows “much promise.”

She finished in the top 10 for public forum during the Oct. 1 event. Smith said her placement makes her feel “great and accomplished” and participating in debate makes her happy.

Freshman Jashon McDuffie, 15, joined debate because of his interest in pursuing a law career. McDuffie thanks fellow debaters Smith and Joshua Fussell for encouraging him to join the team.

“Going into it I was really nervous because it was my first time,” he said. “Not only did they give me encouragement, but they gave me courage.”

The team has two returning experienced debaters, Ashton Barwick (second year) and Joshua Fussell (third year).

“It was very rewarding to see Ashton and Joshua finish highly in speaking points,” Bellamy said. “Both of these students have grown tremendously through their experience, improving steadily in ability. This was the first time for each of these students to be recognized during closing ceremonies of a tournament (Oct. 1) for finishing highly. I believe this is a direct result of their experience and growth coming into this tournament.”

Barwick and Dylan Halphen are in Bellamy’s debate class. It was Halphen’s first tournament. Bellamy is “extremely pleased” with their showing as fourth place semi-finalists in Varsity Public Forum during the Oct. 1 event.

“Because Ashton debated last year, I had to put the team in varsity debate, rather than novice,” he said. “But, Dylan was able to hold his own and the team won two rounds of debate in the tournament.”

Ashton Barwick, a sophomore, joined debate because of his interest in politics. Barwick feels his strongest area is public forum: he likes the way debates are formatted and being able to have a partner.

“I really do enjoy debate,” he said. “I like to argue about things. Stuff I feel passionate about I feel a conviction to tell people why and why they should see it the way I see it.”

Debate promotes critical thinking, communication skills, and teamwork, according to Bellamy. The field uses “analyzing, evaluating and creating to seek the truth” and debates are won when students clearly communicate their supported analysis of each topic.

“Debate challenges students with a level of rigor and problem solving that forces them to dig deeper into themselves and develop and hone their skills of thought and communication,” he said.

Students may join the team either through Bellamy’s second period debate class or by signing up for it as an extracurricular activity through the team’s web page http://tcchs.org/join/.

Freshman Mitch Stone, 14, joined debate because he is “a very outspoken person.” Stone encourages others to join debate “because it really challenges the mind.” He recently competed in public forum.

“It’s fun to argue with other people,” he said.

Team members sign up for tournaments and attend competitions as frequently as possible from September through mid-February. The team is currently planning to compete in at least 10 invitational events in 2016-2017. In addition, team members hope to qualify for state and national championships through the National Catholic Forensic League or the National Speech and Debate Association. 

Currently, team members may participate in public forum, Lincoln-Douglas, and congressional debates.

Public Forum debate is a team event “that advocates or rejects a position set forth in a monthly or bi-monthly resolution topic,” Bellamy explains. Teams “clash” over their positions, but debates “should display solid logic, lucid reasoning, and depth of analysis.”

Lincoln-Douglas, whose name is derived from a series of 1858 slavery debates between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas, is a one-on-one debate, Bellamy explains. Debaters offer “opposing viewpoints on the truth of some topic of importance” that rely on values rather than listing harms/benefits.

Student Congress, or Congressional debate, is “an individual debate in a large group setting” where they
“research and write pieces of legislation they determine to be in the best interest of society,” Bellamy said.

Students prepare during debate class and by participating in the school’s debate club, but Bellamy adds the best way for debaters to prepare for tournaments is through frequent competition.

“Competition drives improvement and motivation more than anything else,” he said. “Students make the greatest gains immediately before, during, and immediately after competition through intense feedback and discussion of policy issues, positions, analysis and communication.”

To advance to state, teams must finish with a certain rank in a tournament and compete in two or more qualifying events. There is still time to earn slots in the 2017 championships, and TCCHS debaters have their skills focused on upcoming competitions.

The team has another competition scheduled in Columbus Oct. 22. After that, the team will compete in the Warner Robins High School Spooky Speech and Demon Debate tournament on Oct. 29, where students will have the option to compete while dressed in their favorite Halloween costume.

Barwick said he is always trying to get fellow students to join debate and it is not too late to join this year’s team.

“Debate helps you with regular school work,” he said. “Debate is kind of the backbone to a lot of school academics. Just do it one time; if you don’t like it you don’t have to do it again, but it is definitely worth trying out.”

For more information about GFCA, visit the website www.gaspeechanddebate.org. To follow the TCCHS Debate team subscribe to its newsfeed at http://tcchs.org/join/subscribe/ or follow it on Twitter @tcchsdebate.