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Urban Debate League Kicks Off 2009-10 Season at Reagan High School By Michael Niggli |
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The 2009-2010 Reagan HS Debate Team John H. Reagan High School opened the 2009-10 Urban Debate League season with the first debate tournament of the year on its campus October 2nd and 3rd. The policy debate attracted over 200 students from over 23 Houston area high schools, making it the biggest debate tournament since Houston joined the National Association for Urban Debate Leagues. “The Houston Urban Debate League is incredibly excited to open its season with such a successful tournament at Reagan High School,” said Bryan Weber, director of HUDL. “It's inspiring to see over 200 students from all corners of the city engaged in such compelling debates." This year the students debate whether or not “The United States federal government should substantially increase social services for persons living in poverty in the United States.” Reagan High School saw four of its debate teams advance into trophy rounds. At the varsity level, the team of Brandon Clements and Jacob Byers went to the semifinals. At the junior varsity level, the teams of Nathaniel Ballinger and Enrique Solis, Jeff Chavez and Gabriel Bautista, and Joshua Acuna and Martin Villegas all made it to the octofinals. Clements, whose debating took him all the way to the national finals in Chicago last year, was happy with their performance. “Really,” he said, my partner is a first year debater, so to find out that together we had advanced was a huge surprise.” Clements’ debate partner Jacob Byers was equally surprised – and happy. “Oh my jebus!” he exclaimed after his first debate. “I can’t believe it!” Some of the other debaters expressed similar enthusiasm, albeit a bit more cautiously, about their performances. “I was very excited about advancing in the debate,” said Nathaniel Ballinger, also a first year debater. “But the competition was too tough to get to the semis.” Students join debate for all kinds of reasons. For junior Enrique Solis, who says he enjoys the argumentative aspect of debating, debate is an avenue to refine the skills he hopes will get him into college. “I hope to get a better understanding of the current issues we debate and face in our lives,” he says. Clements is taking his game to a new level this year in helping to guide the new debaters during class time. He often times facilitates discussion on the core issues and gives advice to the other students on the logistics of debating in a formal setting. “Being the captain,” Clements explains, “I hope to learn as a teacher. I also want to gain more leadership skills.” Chloe Evans returns for her second year as one of Reagan’s two debate coaches. “I am proud of the commitment that the students have shown so far,” says Evans. “They have come a long way since their summer debate camp at the University of Houston and I can’t wait to see how far their dedication will take them this year.” And as an extra bonus for Evans, she added “I am very happy to have my husband participating alongside me as our other debate coach this year.” |
