Riverwood Charter School Debate Team Has Strong Season

From Riverwood International Charter School: The Riverwood Debate Team began their competition season with strong performances during three fall events. Although there are various types of debate, the RICS team focuses on policy debate (also known as Cross X), the most popular across the nation. The school-sponsored group practices several times weekly and participants are expected to compete regularly in tournaments.

The Varsity Raider Debate Team were Quarterfinalists at the Peach State Classic Tournament in Carrollton, GA, November 11th and 12th. The team of Saya Abney and Julia Dias were the only undefeated team with a 5-0 preliminary record out of 20 teams at the start of the Quarterfinal round. Saya Abney also placed 8th Speaker in individual awards. Abney and Dias, both Juniors, serve as Team Captains.

In October, the Varsity Debate team finished as Semi-Finalists at the Autumn Argument Debate Tournament at Sequoyah High School. Abney placed as 1st Speaker and Dias placed as 3rd speaker. In the novice division, Freshman Neha Devineni placed as 3rd Speaker.

Earlier in the month, Abney and Dias were Varsity Co-Champions at the Blue Devils Debate Tournament at Columbus High School. Individually, Abney won First Speaker and Dias won Second Speaker.

Special mention goes to the Freshman team of Devineni and Andaiye Gibson who competed in their first high school tournament at the Chattahoochee Cougar Classic Tournament in September.

Their performance, which was also the first competitive event of the season for the Raiders, led to advancement to the Octafinals (top 16 teams out of 60) in the Novice Division. Devineni also placed as 4th Novice Speaker out of 120 entrants.

Faculty sponsor Marjorie Bernard Evans explained “Students are required to be committed to debating. They have to have a love of the art of speaking and they must be critical thinkers.” She continued, “Participating is quite a time commitment but the students see benefit through improvement of speaking and critical thinking skills.” The team is assisted by a community coach Blake Tanase. Tanase directs student research and helps the students craft their arguments and develop winning strategies.

Image Courtesy of Riverwood International Charter School