Junior Varsity Debaters Win Last National Tournament

Both teams won their opening rounds and worked their way up the bracket to face one another in the semi-final round, which closed out the competition. In an unusual quarterfinal round, the teams were debating teams from other schools on the issue of the death penalty – one Idaho team had to prepare to argue for the death penalty while the other team argued against it. Both teams skillfully persuaded judging panels to endorse their positions.

Speakers Isaac Brambila and Ciara Gaches, both freshmen from Idaho Falls, joined forces as one of the ISU entries. Brambila is majoring in General Studies, and Gaches is pursuing a Psychology degree. ISU’s other team included Trey Mitchell of Great Falls, who majors in Political Science and Philosophy joined with Jonothan Stoneback of Pocatello. Stoneback is studying Anthropology.

ISU team members also achieved wins for speaking quality.  Idaho State’s Jonathon Stoneback, Ciara Gaches, and Trey Mitchell delivered third, second, and first place honors respectively.

Team International Public Debate Round topics change for each preliminary and “outround” including quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals.  Compared to many forms of debate the two teams meeting in a round are given five new topics each round, and the “strike” topics until only one is left.  Both teams then have a 30-minute period to prepare their cases against the opposition.