Rogers debate team claims third place in Foley meet

The last time a debate tournament trophy was placed in the Rogers High School trophy case was 1983.

Today, 14 trophies grace a wooden window sill in Room 119, waiting to take their rightful place in school history.

Debate coach and English teacher Bruce Benedict said it’s been more than 20 years since the school offered debate as a class.

Last year, some of his students approached him about resurrecting the program. They requested that he teach a class and train them for competition. So with the support of English department head Maureen Smith and the blessing of Principal Wallace William, three classes were added.

This year one class is offered, with 12 to 14 of the 20 students entered at any one time in a competition. Many students work, some play basketball, one is a cheerleader. By rotating them, they all have a chance to compete.

At the Thomas S. Foley Forensics Tournament, held Feb. 5, Rogers won the third-place sweepstakes team award, out of 19 teams. More than 400 students competed in speech, improvisation and debate events at the three-day tournament held at University High School in Spokane Valley. The Rogers team had the smallest number of participants in the competition.

“We’ve come such a long way in such a short time. We won 14 awards with 12 participants. I’m more than amazed. It surprised the Dickens out of me,” said Benedict.

“I found myself crying in the bleachers. I didn’t even sleep that night. It was one of the best days in my life as an educator,” said Benedict, now in his fifth year at Rogers. “It was such a measure of confidence and respect. This program is so worthwhile. I’m hoping it snowballs.”

If Benedict was giving an acceptance speech, he would have thanked those who made it all possible, the students for their hard work and determination; his assistant and tournament judge, Loralee Walter and judges Terry Yeigh and Lonny and Kim Bingle.

He also would have thanked Andre Cossette, the debate coach at Gonzaga Prep, who “adopted” the Rogers team, helping them get up-to-speed with practice debates.

Also on the list is David Smith, the University debate coach and Foley Tournament organizer, who offered a lot of different events, meaning more participation and more fun, and who also helped the team by discounting the entry fee.

“All the coaches in this part of the state have been very encouraging,” said Benedict.

Benedict believes that the debate course is one of the best on campus. Students develop skills in communication, as well as knowledge about current issues and legislation.

Like many school programs, continuation of the debate program depends on funding. Benedict said that $5,000 would cover everything, including a trip to the West Side to compete. “We have a limited pie that we tap into, and our pie isn’t as big as most. For now I’ll use a stipend to make it happen. I think we’ve shown the kids that by believing in them we’re able to compete. I’d hate to see this opportunity elude us because of funding,” said Benedict.

Winners included:

Amanda Kyle, first place public forum debate, novice division; first place speaker award public debate forum; fourth place oratory; fifth place editorial commentary.

Alana Scott, first place editorial commentary; third place public forum debate; third place SPAR.

Jonathon Bingle, second place dual interpretation.

Rachel Anderson, fifth place oratory.

David Howell, first place public forum debate; second place dual interpretation.

Matt Bear, fifth place impromptu storytelling.

Dana Protsenko, third place public forum debate.

Team Award; third place sweepstakes award

Merit finalist named

Nathan Powel, a senior at Mt. Spokane High School has been selected as a finalist in the 2005 competition for Merit Scholarship Awards. He has been selected from among 16,200 semifinalists named last September. He has met all the requirements to advance to the finalist standing.

Students enter the National Merit program by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, a test which serves as an initial screen of approximately 1.3 million entrants each year, and by meeting program requirements.

Dinner, auction at North Wall

North Wall School’s Parent Teacher Organization is holding its 11th annual dinner and auction at 6 p.m., Feb. 26 at the Spokane Country Club.

Silent and live auction items include crafts, household items, sporting goods, gift certificates, vacation packages and more.

Tickets are $30 and are available by calling the school at 466-2695.

North Wall School is an independent elementary school and early childhood program for infants through sixth grade. It was founded by Jan Swanson in 1981 and became the first Nationally Accredited Early Childhood Program in Spokane in 1989. The school is solely funded by parent tuition and is at 9408 N. Wall St.