Pupils engaging in a harmonious discussion during a political discourse in their high school auditorium
In the heart of Des Moines, Iowa, this summer, the National Speech and Debate Tournament played host to high school students from across the nation, each eager to showcase their debating skills and engage in respectful, informed discussions. The tournament, run by the National Speech and Debate Association (NSDA), celebrated its 100th anniversary this year.
Macon Smith, a 17-year-old high school junior from an undisclosed location, was one of the many participants who took part in the competition. Smith was required to argue in favor of the idea that violent revolution is a just response to political oppression, a topic that demanded a nuanced understanding and a thoughtful approach.
The Lincoln-Douglas Debate, a competition modeled after public debates between Abraham Lincoln and Sen. Stephen Douglas in 1858, was Smith's chosen battlefield. In this format, two students have 40 minutes to set up their arguments, cross-examine each other, and sway the judges. To prepare for the tournament, Smith spent two days a week practicing after school for most of the school year.
Callista Martin, a 16-year-old rising senior from Bainbridge High School in Washington state, also competed in the tournament. However, she did not make the semifinals. Martin, like Smith, specializes in the Lincoln-Douglas Debate and often engages with controversial and timely issues.
The tournament provides a unique opportunity for participants to engage with diverse viewpoints and attentively listen to counterarguments. For instance, Macon Smith met online with Callista this year to scrimmage before the competition. This interaction allowed both students to debate someone with differing political views and argument styles, thereby broadening their perspectives.
Gagnado Diedhiou, a senior from Eastside High School in Greenville, South Carolina, is the only Black teenager and the only student wearing a hijab in the Congressional Debate division of the tournament. Diedhiou is also a member of Equality in Forensics, a national student-led debate organization that provides free resources to schools and students across the country.
The tournament fosters empathy through respectful engagement with diverse views. It hones listening skills by requiring attentive, strategic responses. It provides safe, inclusive spaces for authentic expression and reception. It builds emotional discipline that supports calm, empathetic discourse. These elements collectively contribute to the personal and civic development of high school students, preparing them for productive citizenship in a divided society.
However, some teachers may be hesitant to oversee a school activity where engaging with controversial topics is the point due to scrutiny and state bans on discussing certain concepts. David Yastremski, an English teacher at Ridge High School in New Jersey, noted that it's a major time commitment for teachers to dedicate their evenings and weekends to debate events with little supplemental pay or recognition.
Despite these challenges, the NSDA aims to double its membership in the next five years, which would require recruiting more teachers to lead clubs. The association believes that speech and debate activities play a critical role in developing empathy and listening skills among high school students, skills that are essential for becoming better citizens.
Angad Singh, a student from Bellarmine College Preparatory in California, won the national prize in Original Oratory for his speech on his Sikh identity and the phrase "thoughts and prayers" commonly repeated by American leaders. Camille Fernandez, a rising junior at West Broward High School in Florida, has faced challenges due to the lack of diversity in the debate competitions she has participated in.
In a world where empathy and understanding are increasingly important, the National Speech and Debate Tournament stands as a beacon of hope. It provides a platform for young minds to engage, learn, and grow, fostering a new generation of thoughtful, empathetic, and informed citizens.
[1] Wunn, S. (2023). Speech and Debate: Cultivating Empathy and Listening Skills. National Speech and Debate Association. [2] Nguyen, R. (2023). My Journey with SVUDL: Empathetic Communication and Community Support. Speech and Debate Magazine. [3] Anonymous Student. (2023). The Importance of Emotional Regulation in Speech and Debate. Speech and Debate Blog.
- The National Speech and Debate Tournament, held in Des Moines, fosters personal and civic growth among high school students by encouraging education and self-development, resulting in a new generation of thoughtful, empathetic, and informed citizens.
- With the increasing emphasis on empathy and understanding in society, the tournament serves as an invaluable learning opportunity, promoting innovation in education-and-self-development through the engagement with diverse viewpoints and counterarguments.
- Inequality in debate competitions still persists, as seen in the lack of diversity experienced by Camille Fernandez, highlighting the need for education reform to ensure equal opportunities for personal growth and learning in this valuable community.
