All in Favor of Debate


St. Bernard’s Debating Society hosted its first debate last Friday, January 29, 2016, the first of six debates scheduled this year.  The Debating Society is made up of all eighth graders.  They elect presiding officers from their class.  This year Elisha A. had been elected president, Charles W. as vice president, and Caleb L. as secretary.

At last Friday’s debate the three elected officers presided over the audience in King-Wood Theater with great authority.  Elisha A. started the session with a swift strike of the gavel and then described the procedures and rules.  The structure was formal.  All members addressed one another as “Mr.” plus the last name.  Four members had been pre-selected to argue both sides of a resolution – two for and two against it.  The resolution presented for debate last Friday was, Resolved: Capital punishment is an effective form of justice.  Brooks A. and Garrett J. argued for the resolution.  Harry K. and Owen K. argued against the resolution.  Both sides presented factually-based, persuasive arguments within the time limit.

Then the president announced the start of the general debate.  Members spoke one by one, after being called from the floor by the secretary, to argue for or against the resolution.  One student argued for and three argued against the resolution.  The main speakers (Brooks A. and Harry K.) delivered closing statements before ballots were distributed.  Each boy cast his vote for the best speaker.  Then the house divided.  Boys seated themselves on one side of the room or the other to show their support for or against the resolution.  The final count determined that the resolution passed, twenty to fourteen.  The session closed with suggestions from boys for future debate topics.  The elected officials have a difficult job ahead as they decide which resolution to present for debate on February 19.

We are pleased to announce that the ballots have been counted, and Brooks A. won the award for best speaker.  Congratulations, Brooks.  We look forward to further spirited discourse from the members of St. Bernard’s Debating Society.
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