Desire For Letters Talked Her Into Debate

All she wanted was a varsity letter and Tessa Masterson didn’t care how she got it.

But there was a problem… “I’m not a sports person,” she says. “Someone told me you could letter in debate, so I signed up.”

Masterson joined the Central Valley High School team last year.

Since then, she’s left everyone else behind. She triple lettered in debate and this year had the best record in the Greater Spokane Debate League for Lincoln-Douglas-style debate.

Lincoln-Douglas debate pits one debater against another. It’s like a mini-trial with speeches, rebuttles and cross-examinations.

It’s more complicated than a trial, Masterson says, because debaters don’t know what side they’ll be arguing until minutes before each match.

The debate topic changes every few months. This season Masterson has debated juvenile crime and international sovereignty.

Masterson said her secret to success in debate is that she always keeps her cool.

“I’m happiest when I’m doing debate. I love that environment. I never give up, even when I know I’m losing because I win rounds I don’t think I should have.”

Masterson works as a teacher’s aide in a special education class at CV.

She’s trying to decide whether she wants to study law or become a special education teacher.

“I want to somehow do both,” Masterson said.

She’ll take introductory classes in both next year at Spokane Falls Community College.

She plans to start judging debate tournaments after she graduates, even though it doesn’t pay well.

“I think I’ll do it anyway because I like the lifestyle,” she said.

How did she feel after getting her letter jacket?

“I could’ve died then and been happy.”