Debate team sets its sights high Monday, June 13, 2011 By Vincent Tandoc [ArticleImageHyperLink] Advertising Debate team adviser and English teacher Amina Farah said that the school’s debate team is training to emulate and one day challenge University High School in Newark, which beat 7,000 students in 38 high schools in the 2011 Urban Debate National Championship. According to Farah, the debate team, which mostly consists of juniors, has shown critical improvement over last year’s team. Junior Sabrina Cartagena, who is the coach of the “Negative Team,” said that this year is more of a training stage for the debate team, leaving room for improvement this year and competition next year. “Right now we’re just improving and debating only within the team, but next year we will be way more awesome and debate against other schools, primarily [Newark],” Cartagena said. Diana Diaz, coach of the “Affirmative Team,” said that by next year, the team will look very strong. “With a little bit of more work and dedication, we will be awesome and very strong,” Diaz said. In addition to improving members’ debating skills, the team has also helped them become more aware of the ongoing issues around the world, and to have their own perspective on things, Cartagena said. “The debate has made me more aware of the worldwide issues, through both perspectives, which makes it easier for me to have an opinion and strong reasons why I support that single side,” Diaz said. Junior Devon Moyd, said that next year he hopes to participate in actual debates with other schools. He also said that he thoroughly enjoys being a member of the deabte team. “[Its] fun to argue,” he said. “[And] I’ve begun to think clearer and become more articulate.” Junior Mariane Ibrahim, who is the captain of the team, said that the debate team helped her not just in the school but outside of school as well “Being captain of the debate team has strengthened my leadership skills and made me aware of my surroundings,” Ibrahim said. “I have become more observant and learned to argue with vehement intellect rather than emotions on the affirmative and negative sides.” Senior Emilio Gonzalez said that being apart of the debate club refines your vocabulary and enhances your arguments. “[Debate] can be successful for anyone who likes to talk about intellectual topics,” he said. “[And] its fun because its Ms. Farrah’s club.” The end of the school year does not mean the debate stops, according to Ibrahim. The debate team will continue to practice and go to workshops during the summer break. “By the time the next academic school year rolls in, we’ll start going to other debate meets and compete.”

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