By Keona Munowenyu
After a long season of competing the Sheyenne Debate team was able to get second place at state last month, its highest ranking thus far and officially giving them a sweepstakes award. The road to their success this year could have been predicted by their strength this season.
At their first meet at the Davies Debate Tournament, the Sheyenne Debate team saw in Lincoln-Douglas Division 1 Aubrey Phillips winning 2nd place and in Public Forum Division 2 Hosna Dawlaty and Vidyaa Lav winning 2nd place.
“Honestly its the people I get to spend time with that makes debate worth it”- Vidyaa Lav
Next at their second meet at Bismarck Legacy High School, the team had a champion and a runner-up, with Keona Munowenyu winning 2nd place in Lincoln Douglas Division 1 and Morgan Downs winning 1st place in Lincoln Douglas Debate Division 2.
Again this team showed promise at the Grand Forks Debate Tournament with Jacquelyn and Tatum taking 5th place in Public Forum Division 2, Hosna and Vidyaa taking 3rd in Public Forum Division 2, and lastly Sadie taking 3rd place in Lincoln Douglas Division 1.
“I would recommend debate to others because it’s fun, it’s not difficult and the people make it enjoyable.” -Sadie Bovkoon
The progress continued at the first two-day tournament at Fargo South High school with the team taking two championships away from the tournament. Hosna and Vidyaa took first in Public Forum Division 2, Morgan took first in Lincoln Douglas Division 2!
To end off the first half of the season before the resolutions for January and February were released the Sheyenne Debate team hosted their tournament. Placing in their events were Eli and Ella in Public Forum Division 2 getting 2nd place and Sadie in Lincoln Douglas Division 1 winning 2nd
The topics debated in the January through February portion of the season changed to the following subjects. For Lincoln Douglas the topic resolution debated was now “The appropriation of outer space by private entities is unjust” and for Public Forum the resolution debated was now “The United States federal government should legalize all illicit drugs.” These topics are what these debaters would debate during the State tournament and National Qualifiers.
Starting strong with these new topics at the Fargo North Debate Tournament in Public Forum Division 2 Reagan and Jonah took 1st place and in the same division, Hosna and Vidyaa won 3rd place. Lincoln Douglas Division 1 also saw another champion with Sadie winning 1st!
“I enjoy debate because it allows me to speak on current and relevant topics with people who are just as passionate as I am.” – Reagan Koppelman
Next at the second to last regular debate tournament before state the Sheyenne Debate team proved to be successful at the Davies Debate Tournament. In Lincoln Douglas Division 1 Keona won 1st and was tournament champion, in Public Forum Division 2 three teams placed with Reagan and Jonah taking 5th place, Eli and Ella taking 4th place, and Hosna and Vidyaa taking 2nd.
“I like debate because it allows me to discus topics that matter and may occur in our world” – Lucas Ramsey
Before the last regular-season tournament before state, Hosna Dawlaty and Vidyaa Lav nationally qualified in Public Forum Debate at National Qualifiers! This makes history for the Sheyenne Debate team since this is the first time Sheyenne students have nationally qualified in this event.
Lastly, at the Horace Debate Tournament Keona won 3rd place in Lincoln Douglas Division 1. Jacquelyn and Tatum were tournament champions in Public Forum Division 2. Hosna and Vidyaa won 2nd in Public Forum Division 2. Eli and Ella won 3rd in Public Forum Division 2. Reagan and Jonah won 4th in Public Forum Division 2. Morgan won 1st place in Lincoln Douglas Division 2
“I like debate because I like to argue, work on my writing skills, and I like hanging out with the people” -Ella Nora Hayes
Finally, at the State Debate Tournament hosted by the Davies Debate team, Sheyenne had 6 quarter-finalists, 1 semi-finalist, and 2 finalists. Hosna and Vidyaa won Public Forum Division 2 at this tournament and became tournament champions. These stats helped contribute to the Sheyenne Debate team taking second at the State Debate tournament which is the highest-ranking this team has ever received.
Overall this team did a tremendous job this season and the future looks bright for the Sheyenne Debate team which is headed by the dedicated coaches Nathan Kurtti and Stephanie Radle.
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