His Command Of Words Is Not Debatable

Class of ‘99 Special graduation edition

Don’t argue with Nirmal Joshi.

And never, ever disparage the Central Valley High School debate team.

If you do, the CV senior will probably start telling you about Marc Antony, Martin Luther King Jr., and Adolf Hitler. He’ll remind you that powerful words “can change history … shape destinies … make or break a nation.”

They can even make or break your wallet.

Powerful communication skills could get you that dream job. Or convince your boss to give you a generous raise.

He’s argued these points before - in personal life and in debate competitions.

For Joshi, who moved to the Spokane Valley from India just two years ago, debate has been a lifealtering experience.

Before joining the CV debate team, he’d planned to be an engineer. Debate sparked his interest in the social sciences, and convinced him to study political science at Gonzaga University.

“It opened up a totally new world,” the 17-year-old said. “It’s a class that has completely changed my life.”

Joshi has a surprisingly quiet personality for a debate enthusiast. But that didn’t stop him from being voted most inspirational member of this year’s CV debate team. It didn’t stop him from qualifying for this year’s national debate competition in Phoenix.

Joshi earned the invitation for his portrayal of Marc Antony’s speech following the death of Julius Caesar. He’ll compete in the dramatic interpretation category at the National Forensic League Tournament next month.

“I like to address a crowd,” he said, “but I’m always nervous.”

Being nervous is OK, Joshi said. What’s not OK, he believes, is heading out into the world without a strong ability to communicate.

He credits his parents with nurturing his debate skills.

“Since I was a kid, I was able to argue with them,” he said. “My mom says, `You owe that to me.”’ Joshi believes debate can make students more open-minded, and understanding of different opinions. They’re forced, many times, to argue both sides of an issue. They must consider, in depth, other people’s point of view.

Joshi’s fellow debate team members praise him for his modesty and strong concern for fellow team members. He’s the author of the team’s cheer, one it often uses before tournaments. He’s more concerned about the team’s welfare than his own achievements.

“It’s almost like a close-knit family,” Joshi said. “I feel bad to be leaving it.”

Actually, he knows he’ll take the team with him - to college, to a career, and maybe even back to India.

“My first American high school class was debate,” Joshi said.

“It’s through debate that I’ve grown.”