There is a place where reasonable men and women take time each week to discuss and debate issues that face our nation and countries around the world. No, certainly not Congress. It is the South Jersey Debate League.
The SJDL, established 40 years ago, hosts as many as 40 high school varsity and junior varsity debates on Wednesday afternoons from December through February at high schools throughout the region. This year, students from Burlington, Camden and Gloucester counties competed each week with the season concluding at Eastern High School on Feb. 27 with a championship debate and awardsceremony.
Taking the stage that afternoon were two pairs of teams, a pair from both Seneca and Eastern high schools, which had the two best records from eight weeks of competitions throughout the season. The issue up for debate, “the United States federal government should substantially increase its economic engagement toward Cuba, Mexico or Venezuela.”
In the school’s recital hall, two students from Eastern would argue in defense of the engagement statement, making them the “affirmative” team. Challenging their arguments and data would be Shawn Tuman and Nate Foulk from Seneca, the “negative” team.
Simultaneously, in the chorus room, the two schools would take reverse positions with Elizabeth Raffo and Russell Bauer representing the Golden Eagles. Seneca’s coach Dave Knecht said the work the kids do begins when school does.
“The kids start a plan pretty much right after summer break ends, when school gets going in September,” Knecht said. “They begin researching, working and practicing. It’s really impressive how much work they put in each week.”
Acting as judges for the debates are all the coaches from the schools that participate. Coaches then give feedback and discuss where students can improve. Teams vary in size but pick four students to represent the school as the varsity debate team.
“We have 20 kids that make up junior varsity and varsity,” Knecht said. “Everyone helps with the research, with practice debates.”
The value doesn’t end with students learning how to have a civil conversation. The SJDL also set a goal to raise more than $1,000 for the American Red Cross and its efforts for Typhoon Haiyan relief in the Philippines.
“Since the need for relief was immediate and urgent, the coaches donated $1,000 and the students were challenged to meet and beat that amount through the sale of the league shirt,” said SJDL president John Tobias of Bordentown Regional High School. “I’m happy to say we’ve met that goal.”
An afternoon of lively debate came to an end in the school’s cafeteria with all the league’s teams enjoying a dinner of pizza, soda and conversation. Eastern was named the winner of the championship debate over the Golden Eagles, but Tuman was recognized as the league’s best overall speaker. Knecht said he is hopeful word of the league will continue to spread throughout the student body and to other schools in the area.
“We have 12 teams in the league right now and the goal is definitely to keep growing, to keep adding teams,” Knecht said.
