Ms. Monkovic is a 7th-grade social studies teacher who started a debate club, and we interviewed some students and the leader herself.
The students said that debate is good, fun, and a great way to meet new people, and the fellow debaters are really nice! They said, “It’s a fun place, and we are like a big happy family.” It’s also laid back; you can work as hard as you want and still participate as much as other students.
They would prioritize debate over other clubs because it’s educational, like a class. It gives them educational growth, and they can express themselves. It’s also good in high school, and it will get you into a better high school than if you didn’t choose debate. They also had yummy snacks. The debaters also said that debate provides them with a rare opportunity and experience, and in debate you work as a team.
Usually, once a year, the debate team does a tournament with other debate teams, where you can meet other kids and compete in a friendly way with others. The debate team prepares for debates by researching topics so they are prepared and have to write pros and cons about the topics, which come in a pretty wide variety from politics to school topics. When they’re practicing, they take turns speaking while Ms. Monkovic herself guides the conversation. But if you’re shy, you don’t have to participate and can just take notes. Some students share the idea that debate can be nerve-racking or anxiety-inducing, but Ms. Monkovic has said she wants her debaters to build speaking skills, improve note-taking, and have fun. The debates are usually open-ended and worldwide, so you can debate anything. They usually last for 40 minutes each, and in each session there are usually 1–2 debates. The debaters said it’s fun, and it depends on the competitor. Sometimes it can be fun, but if your opponent is too serious or mean, it’s not as interesting.
The three debaters we interviewed said they would rate the afterschool program 8/10, 9.5/10, and 9/10, respectively, with one eighth-grader, one seventh-grader, and one sixth-grader. They also informed us that you can talk to friends during the club, but it can be scary due to peer pressure and nervousness.
We asked if there were any fun facts they would like to share with us, and here are a few:
- They get snacks, which is a good plus.
- They do practice debates weekly, and they are all optional.
- You can either work hard, or you can be more laid back. Either one works.
- The school and/or district picks the topics they debate about.
If you are interested, contact Ms. Monkovic in room 505