The Bulldog Times

Winter Debate

By Madison Hamilton and Lily Kocsis

This winter, on Saturday, December 13th, the debate team will compete in the American Debate League Winter Classic at I.S. 73 in Maspeth. This is the first debate for the JHS 194 team this year. If you see one of the team members, please treat them with as much kindness as you can muster; they are working really hard! 

Also, you can hype them up or give them  high fives, they are doing a lot to represent our school! Hopefully, they can bring home a trophy and a positive mindset, wish them luck!

The topic for the debate is, "On balance, in the United States, the benefits of presidential executive orders outweigh the harms." Team members are prepared to argue both sides of the topic, because they will participate in multiple rounds of debates. 

• Shuey, an eighth grader and one of the debate team captains said she prepares for the debates by practicing reading her speech at home and looking deeper into the packet. She also thinks about questions to ask as well as possible responses.

• Annie, a sixth grader who was on a team in elementary school said that she is excited because it's the first debate of the year and the team prepared a lot.

• Talia, a sixth grader, said she is the first and fourth speaker meaning she has several parts to prepare for. 

The next debate will take place on Thursday, February 26th, from 3:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The team will compete against other District 25 schools on that day. Anyone who is interested in participating can join the debate team in January, immediately after winter break. We meet on Tuesday mornings from 7:15 a.m. to 8 a.m. and on Thursdays from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Go bulldogs!

How has the school changed from when you started until today?
The school has changed in countless ways over the years, especially with the integration of technology in the classroom and the increasing diversity in both our programs and student body. Cell phones and social media have certainly introduced new challenges, but what remains unchanged is the strong sense of community and our unwavering commitment to supporting students.

What will you miss?
I’ll miss the daily interactions with students and colleagues—the energy, the unexpected moments, and the deep sense of purpose that comes from being part of something greater than yourself.

Retirement plans?

I plan to take some time to relax and travel, spend more time with family, and maybe even volunteer.  I’m also excited to finally dive into a few hobbies and maybe learn to play an instrument. 

Best experience in JHS 194? Funniest experience?

One of my most memorable moments was watching a student who had recently moved from Spain help a friend improve their grade from a 55 to an 85. It always brings me joy to see students put in the effort and achieve success.

The most entertaining moment? A mouse made an unexpected appearance in the cafeteria. Chaos erupted -students shrieking and leaping onto tables. The Assistant Principal casually told me, “Ms. G, there’s a mouse,” but wasn’t planning on doing anything about it. So, I calmly grabbed a garbage pail, tracked the mouse’s path, and when it crossed my way, I trapped it. Then, like nothing happened, I called the next class for lunch. Just another day in the cafeteria!

Final words for any students and teachers?

To the students: Keep working hard, be kind, believe in your potential and stay off social media. 

To my fellow teachers and support staff: Thank you for your support, collaboration, and friendship. Most importantly, thank you for the laughs. I’m leaving with a heart full of gratitude and memories I’ll cherish forever.