WARM-UP CATS VS. DOGS

FIRST INFORMAL / WARM-UP DEBATE: 

CATS VS. DOGS

On Monday, October 21st, the Debate Club hosted its first debate. An informal, fun warm-up/icebreaker debate. The prompt was, Cats are better than Dogs.

Mr Costello [left, standing],  Debate Club members [scattered, sitting]

Photo Credits: Alan Mowle [PRESIDENT]

This past Monday,  the Debate Club hosted its first debate. The debate was centered around a light-hearted yet widely controversial topic that may never end: which is the better pet, Cats or Dogs? The official prompt was, Cats are better than Dogs, and the students who agreed (The Affirmative) debated against students one-on-one who disagreed (The Negative) in a warm-up, free-for-all style debate format across the UHS Library. The students would find a partner/a small group and begin debating amongst themselves. After a couple of minutes, they were then notified to find a new partner/group to begin debating with.

The purpose of this meeting was to slowly introduce them into Debate. This was the first meeting of the club and the first real Debate Club that Union High School has had. So, it was expected for members to be new to the subject. What better way to ease into it than with the classic Cats vs. Dogs?

The meeting was full of energy and very exciting. Yet, it remained informative, and members were engaging in meaningful conversations. Two members of the Debate Club were asked about their favorite moments from the debate, junior Kauri Townes and senior Joaquin Santos. 

Santos immediately responded with, "I loved the energy of the members." He highlighted how everyone was "so invested" and how "the warm-up got everyone involved and given the opportunity to confidently communicate their stance on the topic." Townes enjoyed being able to "collaborate with my friends to form arguments and getting almost completely caught up in a small debate due to the passion of both parties." She felt the "excitement at the meeting" and noted that it helped wash away any nerves and anxiety she had prior. Townes was also asked about the importance of warm-up/icebreaker debates such as this. She highlighted how they "motivate the group and get them comfortable," and not just with debating on limited time, but also "with speaking to those who they may not know in a confrontational way."

The meeting ended with a presentation segment led by the advisor, Mr.Costello, and president, Alan Mowle. The presentation announced the opening of the Grade Representative and Media Officer positions and allowed the students to vote on what they wanted as their next debate topic. The group decided on the prompt, College is a Scam, which will be debated between two internal groups, on November 4th.

Advisor, Mr Costello, once again deemed this meeting a "Success!!" and the future of the Debate Club remains brighter than ever. Stay tuned for future blogs to keep up with the Law & Debate scene here at UHS.