The Crown Point Debate Team is in full gear preparing for the annual Indiana High School State Debate Tournament. This tournament is the season’s culmination and limits the number of entries each school can bring, only allowing varsity members the opportunity to compete.

Students have been preparing their debate cases for weeks. They have been researching a vast abundance of topics ranging from whether or not NATO has lost its relevance in today’s world, the pros and cons of state vs federal power, whether or not the executive power to pardon ought to be eliminated, and much more. “By participating in debate, students are becoming more aware of discrimination, bias and misinformation more so than their peers,” head director Heidi Marek said. “They now stand out and have a set of skills that they can apply in any situation or discourse. Employers and professors want to have debaters because they know that they have the ability to decipher information that they read and how to convey and communicate that information to a broader audience.”

Students cannot wait to compete at this tournament. “As a freshman, I’m super excited to compete at state debate,” said freshman Sean Morris. “The topics this year are really interesting and it’ll be exciting to go up against tough competition.”

The coaches have pushed their students to the max, trying to make sure they are becoming the best speakers they can be. “Students who use their voice and become comfortable with public speaking become better leaders in every setting,” head speech coach Brooke Manhatton said. “ If you are a leader in this world, there is nothing that can stop you. People will look to you in times of need and praise because of the leadership qualities you possess from using your voice.”

The tournament will take place on January 24th and the 25th at Avon High School. All students will compete in 3 preliminary rounds and then the top competitors in each event will go on to compete in elimination rounds.