Empower Every Learner to Thrive!
Debate Club
Horizon Congress/Debate/Speech
BPS 2024-25 STUDENT CONGRESS
Student Congress practices at the Century High School Library Monday, Tuesday, and Thursdays from 5:30pm-6:15pm. 7th and 8th graders can compete.
The first competition is Sept 23rd in Fargo. We'd leave Sunday the 22nd sometime in the afternoon and stay overnight in Fargo. There will be meets in town, and the season ends early November.
BPS Coach: Jake Thomas (701) 204-3466
HORIZON 2024-25 DEBATE
Informational session Monday September 30th in the Horizon Library. Debate is middle/high school competition that is held regionally, and at a state and national level. 6th graders can participate in the practices but cannot compete until in 7th grade. Starting in 9th grade, students could compete for the national tournament. Practices are Mondays and Wednesdays after school starting October 2nd until February. The season has two different topics (one for November/December and another for January/February). 6th graders will be encouraged to time rounds at the Bismarck tournaments.
There are two categories of debate. Public Forum debate is a two-person team debate while Lincoln Douglas debate is an individual activity. You will learn how to research, evaluate sources, structure arguments, improve speaking skills and to think on your feet. It is a great activity for anyone who wants to improve their skills in speaking, writing and research that are critical to success in school now, high school, college and jobs-no matter what area of work you want to do.
Practices: Mondays and Wednesdays after school starting Wednesday October 2nd. Students can start at any time. First meet in mid-November. Topics switch in January with last meet tentatively the weekend of February 8th.
Students can start with either topic. And students do not have to compete at every tournament. The more tournaments tend to provide the best feedback and improvement in skill, but even one tournament can help a student learn to research, write, speak, think on their feet and use logic to advocate for their side. All of these skills are ones needed in college and life.
Horizon Debate Advisor: Damian Lund (Damian Lund) and cell is (801) 739-4914
BPS Coach: Jannelle Combs (jannellesteger@hotmail.com) and cell is (701) 306-0039
https://www.speechanddebate.org/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2O3ppc-UC2s (example of Lincoln-Douglas debate at nationals, round begins at 5:38)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdNg3F7aBcM (example of public forum debate from South Dakota)
HORIZON/CENTURY 2025 SPEECH
Speech begins practice after the first of the year and continues to State in April. Practices are at Century High School.
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