State debate tournaments underway

Saturday, January 18, 2014
Jason E. Silvers/Tribune photo At right: A group of debaters talk during a break in the competition Friday afternoon in the Fort Scott Middle School commons area. USD 234 is hosting the Class 1-3A and 4A State Debate Tournaments this weekend at the middle school and Fort Scott High School.

An estimated 1,200 high school students, coaches and parents from around the state, flocked to Fort Scott for this weekend's Debate State Championship for classes 4A and 3-2-1A.

During the debate tournament kickoff assembly in the FSHS auditorium Friday morning, Amber Toth, FSHS debate and forensics team coach, implored participants of the state debate tournament to thank their respective debate team coaches for the effort they have made to get them to this point, and most of all, for believing in them.

"On behalf of Fort Scott High School debate, our students, their parents, our coaches, the Chamber of Commerce and local businesses, we would like to extend our heartfelt congratulations to you on your successful season," Toth said, in a statement in the 2014 Debate tournament program. "We are thoroughly honored to serve as the hosts of the 4A and 3-2-1A Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSAA) State Championship tournaments."

Matthew Resnick/Tribune photo Above: Reggie Romine, assistant executive director of KSHSAA, addresses the audience during the kickoff event.

Reggie Romine, assistant executive director of the KSHSAA, spoke during the assembly. Romine discussed the importance of the event and went over various official rules and procedures for participants in attendance. Diane Gross, USD 234 superintendent, and Bob Beckham, FSHS principal, also made brief comments.

"Kids that participate in debate for three or four years just seem to succeed after high school," Romine told the Tribune. "They have that edge. The skills they learn and pickup through debate are lifelong."

Classes were not held in the Fort Scott school district accommodate the tournament and community organizations, such as the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce, assisted throughout the day with either providing volunteers or snacks and other items for competitors.

Beckham, in a statement published in the event program, welcomed competitors, coaches and others traveling with the teams to Fort Scott and the district.

"Our entire community has been anxiously awaiting this championship weekend. We are thrilled to have you in Fort Scott," Beckham wrote. "I have some sense of the tremendous amount of hard work, preparation and commitment it has taken on your part to earn the right to compete here this weekend. You are all to be commended. It is my sincere desire that you have a fantastic experience and I wish you all the best of luck as you compete."

"It takes 65 classrooms to host this event," Romine said. "That limits the possible host sites. So we're excited when a community will step up and do the prep work to make this happen. This isn't a sporting event that would bring in big revenue."

Romine said FSHS has put a bid in the past four years to host the event, and the event itself is a way of showcasing the community.

"The administration (school district and Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce) have been very positive in our prep meetings (leading up to the event)," Romine said. "(The experience) has been very refreshing and unique."

According to Romine, Kansas is the only state in America that utilizes a four-speaker format. The other format utilized is two-speaker.

"The four-speaker format is unique to our state and team oriented," Romine said. "And it allows more kids the opportunity to participate. And to be honest with you, we think that's one of the reasons we've maintained such a strong enrollment (in debate). A high number of schools participate (in debate) in Kansas. When you start comparing titles and numbers of participants, Kansas is in the top two, three or four in the nation in all of those categories."

This year's topic is "Resolved: The United States Federal Government should substantially increase its economic engagement toward Cuba, Mexico and Venezuela."

During his presentation, Romine revealed the 2014-15 debate topic is "Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially increase its non-military exploration and/or development of the Earth's oceans."

For those interested in attending the event today, Rounds IV, V, VI, VII of the class 4A and 3-2-1A will take place at FSHS between 8 a.m. and 1:45 p.m., with the awards ceremony following.