For many students, debate is about competition. For others, it is the place they finally can find their voice. It is something that shapes their confidence, communication, and sense of community in very different ways.
Jackson Roberts, 11, who has competed at a national level, said debate changed the way he sees themself.
“I would say that debate has helped me as a person and it expanded my knowledge about current world events,” said Roberts. “I was able to become more confident in my public speaking abilities.”
They also added that debate constantly challenges them.
“The hardest part about debate is the changing aspect of it. No year is the same and you have to be adaptable to every round.”
With each round, their confidence grew, but it wasn’t until they competed at nationals that they truly gained a new perspective on their abilities and the support around them.
“It was more that I had the confidence to try for the spot,” said Roberts. “Upperclassmen believed in me so that’s why I went for the nationals spot.”
For Logan Engle, 9, debate started almost accidentally.
“It gives you one semester so it fits in my schedule, and my friend begged me to do it,” said Engle.
They quickly realized the activity pushes participants to speak whether they want to or not.
“It forces you to be conversational with your classmates and just random strangers… you just have to do it.” said Engle.
Logan said tournaments early in the season were the hardest part, especially with a partner in a different class, but debate has improved their arguments structurally.
Ryker Marmon, 10, joined after switching from art fundamentals to forensics.
“Debate has helped me grow from someone really antisocial, into someone who can actually speak to people without freaking out internally,” said Marmon.
After tough rounds, Marmon decided that the hardest part was having the confidence to keep going.
Across grade levels and different experiences, all three found the same thing common about joining debate: it doesn’t just teach argumentative skills, but it allows for students to build confidence.
