Debate Is Worth Saving

Mon., March 29, 1999

Kadie Bell Shadle Park

The March 8 issue of Our Generation evoked a lot of emotion for myself, and my former teammates. The main focus of this issue was debate and its many positive effects on students.

I couldn’t agree more with these writers. Debate is very educational and an excellent program. So why is it no longer offered to me?

Over my debate career, and prior to it, schools have shown little support or recognition for debate.

Teams receive very little funding and I have not once seen a “going to state” pep con for the debaters, even though virtually every year at least a few people attend state and even national competitions.

I understand this might not be the most thrilling thing to those who are not in debate, but we could at least have some respect shown to us and not have gum stuck to our trophy case.

Others and myself have gone to extreme measures to re-establish a program after our coach resigned last year, despite a general feeling that no one wants to cooperate with us or pay attention to our suggestions or complaints.

Debate is one of the few programs in school where you learn life-long skills, like reading, interpreting, discussing and speaking.

In football you can learn how to throw, but how is that going to help you write your thesis?

I’m not saying school sports should be eliminated, but I think that schools should focus on academic aspects more than the physical.

And at my school, action must be taken to form a new debate team, because after this year’s juniors graduate there is a slim chance anyone is going to have any motivation to act.

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.