Two pairs of students on Southeast Missouri State University’s Debate Team finished in second and third places in the National Education Debate Association’s (NEDA) National Debate Tournament in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Out of more than 50 teams competing in the National Debate Tournament, the Southeast duo that placed second includes Debate Team Captain and senior, Camille Shoals of St. Louis, Missouri, and freshman Kaitlin Everitt of Bloomsdale, Missouri. Shoals and Everitt missed the first-place finish by only one point after a split decision among three debate judges.
Shoals was also recognized individually with the All American Debate Honors award.
Sophomore Olivia Fensterman of Edwardsville, Illinois, and junior Jaina Bemis of Alton, Illinois, placed third.
The debate topic for the National Debate Tournament was, “Resolved: The United States Federal Government should require compulsory national service.”
Both Southeast teams competed through six debates over two days. Each debate round lasted an hour, and the teams did not know until five minutes before each round began whether they would be given the affirmative or the negative position.
Additionally, junior Gus Eby of Sikeson, Missouri, did not attend the National Debate Tournament but conducted research and provided support for the teams.
Dr. James West, faculty coach to the Debate Team and instructor in Southeast’s Department of Communication Studies and Modern Languages, said he was immensely proud of the Debate Team as well as Shoals for being named an All American.
“The team practiced and competed all year and won several regional tournaments,” West said. “Their dedication and hard work resulted in winning national honors.”
The Southeast Debate Team practices throughout the semester to develop critical thinking skills and determine the most effective strategies for arguing either position of a topic. The team had competed in regional debate tournaments on one Saturday every month during the academic year, and they had finished in first place twice.
Being on the Debate Team helps students develop critical thinking skills and looks impressive on resumes, West said.
For more information about the Southeast debate team, visit semo.edu/colleges-departments/humanities-social-sciences/comm-studies-languages/experiential-learning.