by August Pittman
Should non-citizens that commit crimes be deported? Can family be more than blood? Most seriously, should Christmas celebrations wait until after Thanksgiving?
These are just a few of the questions that the Pilgrim Debate Club were debating in a tournament at Classical High School on November 16. This debate club is new, founded this year by Ms. Bizragane. The club meets weekly to improve their skills for the each debate, such as critical thinking, logical reasoning, and public speaking.
In addition to the practice done as a club, students involved have a debate partner that they work with to form a case. Partners not only work together for preliminary tasks, but debate together in Rhode Island Forensics League tournaments.
After all this preparation, the day of the tournament comes around. Students have three rounds of formal parliamentary-style debate in a day that starts early in the morning and ends in the late afternoon. In the first and second rounds they both introduce a case and oppose another team and in the third, they come up with a case on the spot and have a coin toss to find their role.
Fortunately, at the last debate, the team did a wonderful job. Ms. Bizragane said, “We had a great first showing!”, and the team truly did. Several team members placed near the top and the team overall had a wonderful first experience. (See results below)
The next debate for the team is in just a few weeks, on December 14. Currently, they are working on opposing arguments that are presented to them and creating debate cases on two new topics.
If this sounds like something you’d like to be a part of, feel free to stop by at one of their meetings. They’re announced when they happen, and occur on either Wednesday or Thursday in 501. The team would love to have you!
November Results
Our top 2 teams were recognized with certificates of achievement:
- Emma Deus and Ayeska Damian ranked 9th
- Taylor Mark and Katelyn Haley ranked 13th
Our top 4 individuals were also recognized for their achievements. Out of 118 students:
- Addison Mendoza 10th place
- Katelyn Healey 15th place
- Taylor Mark 18th place
- Emma Deus 22nd place
The Black and White 
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