Clubs

It is the purpose of the SHS Debate Team to

• conduct debates which improve critical thinking, research skills, ethical argumentation, advocacy, analysis, rhetoric, oral presentation, listening, organization, teamwork and group problem solving, active citizenship, and leadership skills.

• participate in debate competitions with other schools, presenting students with the opportunity to conduct deep research into important topics while developing and refining public speaking skills.

This year's national policy debate resolution is "Resolved: The United States federal government should enact substantial criminal justice reform in the United States in one or more of the following: forensic science, policing, sentencing."

The driving question for this extracurricular activity is, “How can students become civic leaders to change their world?” The Sandwich High School Civic Action Team focuses on understanding civic issues, assessing need and solutions, and taking informed action. Our goal is to explore the role of civic virtue in an active democratic society and create outcomes focused on student-chosen local, regional, national, and international topics. Collaboration with other schools is part of our mission, connecting students across districts to learn from and work with one another. Support resources will include civic leaders, non-governmental organizations, teen empowerment groups, and educators. In the past few years, we have led civics workshops, hosted conferences, organized demonstrations, worked with local, state, and federal politicians, and highlighted school humanitarian efforts.