To prepare for upcoming debate competitions, Mr. Dixon and Mr. Petit have launched the year-long Debate Club for yet another season! The Debate Club aims to give students from all levels of expertise opportunities to improve their skills throughout the season. Club meetings are held from 3:30 P.M. to 4:30 P.M. afterschool on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
“We stopped having try-outs last year, so instead of selecting a small group, we now keep a larger team,” Mr. Dixon stated. This new change allows St. Mary’s to support each student and help them develop their confidence and skills to an extent they couldn’t if they got cut off from the team earlier. Delivering an impressive season by collecting several top speaker awards the previous season, it is safe to say that the change has done nothing but improve the team as a whole.
“Traditionally ASIJ, and to a lesser extent ISSH, have been our toughest rivals,” Mr. Dixon answered when asked about St. Mary’s fiercest rivals for the upcoming season. ISSH begins training from the beginning of the school year, giving the school’s newer speakers a large advantage compared to St. Mary’s and other schools. However, with the last season’s huge success being any indicator, St. Mary’s will hopefully keep up the momentum by engaging in meaningful and honest debates.
