By: Sebastian Connert
This past Wednesday was one of the most exciting days of the school year for me, I got to take part in Debate Week. I was on a team with my friends Oliver and Misha, and we had been preparing for two whole weeks for this event. We spent our lunches, breaks, and even some afternoons after school researching, practicing, and building our arguments. We were a mix of nervous and excited, but mostly just ready to finally get up there and debate.
The topic we had for the first round was, “Should rules be broken if the end is good?” It was a challenging one, but we had some strong points prepared. We were the first team to go, so that made it a bit more intense. The whole setup made it feel like a real debate, there were two moderators, a small audience, and even two parents who came to watch. All the teams had to dress formally, which made everything feel more serious. I wore a blazer, which was a new experience for me.
Even though we didn’t win our round and couldn’t move on, I still feel really proud of what we accomplished. The other four teams kept debating, and in the end, the 6th semester team won. Watching the rest of the debates gave me ideas on how I can do better next time. It was a great learning experience, and even though it was competitive, it felt supportive too.
Debate Week was more than just an event, it was something that helped me grow. I learned how to express my thoughts clearly, work better with my team, and stay calm under pressure. I’m definitely looking forward to the next one, and I hope we make it even further.
