3 minute read
Charlotte Jewish Day School Students Place High at National Speech and Debate Tournament
August 2023
By Mariashi Groner
We are proud! It is heartwarming to see our students take their talents to the next level of world experiences. The following is an example of our students using all they have learned: information, skills, and confidence to put themselves out there and to test their nerves.
Adam Stone (18) and Evie Salam (19), graduates of Charlotte Jewish Day School, showcased their exceptional skills at the National Speech and Debate Tournament held in Phoenix, Arizona in June. We are immensely proud of their outstanding performance in this prestigious competition. Evie, a student at Myers Park High School, and Adam, a student at Charlotte Latin School, participated in the highly competitive Extemporaneous Debate category, which featured a staggering 1,038 competitors, making it the largest event of the tournament. Despite being new to Extemporaneous Debate, Evie secured an impressive eighth place, while Adam secured a commendable 24th place. In this tournament, students are eliminated from the competition after losing two debate rounds.
The National Speech & Debate Association, the largest interscholastic organization of its kind in the U.S., hosts an annual national competition that requires students from across the country to qualify for participation. To earn a spot, students must compete in their state’s district competition and secure first or second place in a speech and debate event. Adam successfully qualified in Informational Speaking, while Evie earned her qualification in Congressional Debate.
Last year, during his participation in the competition, Adam fearlessly selected Israel as the topic for his presentation. His exceptional presentation not only showcased his articulateness but also provided a profound and informative exploration of the challenges confronting our homeland, Israel. What made his performance even more remarkable was his courage in choosing a topic that is often surrounded by controversy and not universally supported.
In Extemporaneous Debate, students engage in a one-on-one format where they are given 30 minutes to prepare for a specific topic and then one hour to present their arguments and engage in rebuttals. Unlike other typical debate events, students tackle a different resolution in each round.
Here are a few examples of the resolutions they debated:
Resolved: The Twenty-Sixth Amendment should be amended to raise the voting age from 18 to 25.
Resolved: Homeowners Associations (HOAs) do more harm than good.
Resolved: Social media use is negatively impacting academic achievement.
Resolved: The G7 has become redundant.
Resolved: Rapid re-housing programs ought to be substantially increased.
Resolved: Age requirements for elected offices are unjust.
Resolved: It is ethical for individuals to consume the meat of non-human animals.
Resolved: Generative artificial intelligence will accomplish more good than harm.
CJDS was definitely represented at the National Tournament! Adam said, “All of the research I did in fourth and fifth grade to write persuasive papers and the “debates” we had in Judaica studying the Parashiot paid off!”
