And so, it begins anew

As I write, my daughter and her debate partner are at the dining room table, videoconferencing with a mentor about their new debate strategy, to be debuted this weekend at an out-of-town tournament. I'm really amazed at the amount of work and strategery that goes into fashioning an effective case.

I attended a PTA meeting this evening where the 2009-10 PTA budget was discussed, including the disbursement for the Debate Team. Let's just say there were a healthy number of skeptics in the crowd....definitely less informed about the skills and confidence that debate builds. Hopefully, they left the meeting more aware of what a debate program can do, not just for the debaters themselves - as was so effectively pointed out by a 12th grade debater -but also for the academic environment, because students bring their abilities to express themselves and reason right back to the classroom. Money well spent, indeed.

To your debater, much success in this academic year! (And keep your fingers crossed for my girl and her partner!)