After gathering news articles, building their arguments, brainstorming and practicing with mock debates, the Debate team was given the chance to showcase their skills as they traveled to Ennis to compete at UIL district on Thursday, March 20. They competed against Arlington Seguin, Ennis, Lancaster, Mansfield Lakeridge, Mansfield Summit, Red Oak and Waxahachie. In order to advance to regionals, debaters must place in the top three in informative or persuasive extemporaneous speaking or the top two in Lincoln Douglas debate.

This year, the Lincoln Douglas topic was “The influence of the media negatively influences the American political process.” No debaters qualified for semi-finals, but senior Henry Jones was only one speaker point away from qualifying. Junior Shalavé Cawley placed fifth in extemp. speaking but did not advance.

“I’m frustrated that the flawed speaker point system kept me from advancing, I believe I would’ve fared well against the other debaters that did qualify for out-rounds,” Jones said.

Jones also participated in extemp. and advanced to regionals in the event after taking second place.

“I’m not a strong speaker, but I managed to make it work for the topic I chose in finals,” Jones said. “To compete at the regional level, I’ve got a lot of work to do.”

Overall, the team members consider themselves extremely prepared and showed no signs of fear. Ritz’s only worry laid in the judging process. Judges focused on the speaker’s argumentation skills, which includes how well they speak, attack and defend arguments, as well as the quality of the arguments themselves.

“I am expecting that Henry will break into the final rounds at regionals,” Ritz said, “He has all the experience and potential that some of the best debaters do.”