Debate Finally Started

Well, it's been a turbulent couple of months, with various complications over debate, but we've finally got it started up. Congratulations to the 30 or so members who made the team, and we hope to have a great year. Last year the team blew the rest of DC and part of the rest of the national leagues away, and we hope to achieve the same this year.

Rachel Carson Mantra

"Let us constantly juxtapose the way things are with fresh visions of what they might become."
That is the Rachel Carson Middle School mantra. It means that when we do something, we should always consider what it might become. On the RCMS school profile, it is stated that "this proclamation is posted prominently in each classroom and office at the school to remind us that our job to improve Rachel Carson is never ending." The staff are also encouraged to take risks to provide services to the children, parents and community. The Rachel Carson debate club is a pioneer for the Northern Virginia Debate League, leading the way for students to engage in friendly competitions through public speaking. Given time, this club may prosper into a team that is the top in this region. The students involved in the club would also gain a lot of skills that they would be able to use later on in life.

Parents

Debate has brought together many talented students who seek to learn the skills needed to be a successful public speaker. Throughout one's life, public speaking skills will be essential no matter what one does. I am sure that the parents of debators from last year know how much debate has benifited their children. Debate is an activity that not only allows kids to have fun together, but greatly increases their skill level in speech. Please share how debate has benefited your child.

Teamwork

Have you ever heard of the quote "Together we grow stronger"? It refers to the fact that when people work together, they all benifit and get better. Debate club gives a chance to students to benifit together in a fun and exciting environment. When we prepare for tournaments we are assigned two other students as teammates. When we have practice rounds, THESE ARE THE PEOPLE that you work with. When everybody does research at home, THESE ARE THE PEOPLE you divide the tasks among. No matter how good you are, you cannot go into a tournament without ever working with your partners, and expect to win. You may be as good as president Obama, but you MUST work with your partners to succeed. Debate presses on you the importance of teamwork. Teamwork is a skill that is ESSENTIAL to success later on in life. Besides teamwork, everybody in debate club also grows bonds with the other members. I know people who came into debate club not knowing anyone, and by the end of the year all of their best friends were from the club. This club gives students a chance to perfect the skills they need for success later on, and to make friends and have fun. Please share how debate has taught you teamwork and given you stronger bonds to other students.

Public Speaking

According to Reader’s Digest, public speaking is America’s greatest fear. This was the same for me, in 6^th grade, I was a terrible public speaker, in every presentation I gave (even in the debates back then), I was poorly composed, had extremely weak notes, and could not give a clear and concise speech. Now with debate, I have no fear for public speaking. I have learned how to be a better public speaker, and ultimately, lead a better life in the future. Share how debate has helped you express yourself better.

Research

Rachel Carson's namesake knew how to make a case for something she felt strongly about. In the culmination of her life's work, she was able to lead the effort to ban DDT for its harmful effects against nature. In Rachel Carson's Debate Club, I was able to do the same thing on a smaller scale. Mr. Creech taught me how to put together an effective case by taking in both sides, making a strong case for my own side, and prepare for the other side's arguments and rebut them. I hope that the club can go on so that we can teacher other Carson students the same and reach the same accolades that we have in the past.

What We're All About

In 2010, Rachel Carson Middle School formed its first ever debate club. Many students, including myself, participated in the club and allowed it to grow far beyond what any of us could have imagined. By the end of the first year, we had managed to become one of the top debate clubs in the region, sending two of our teams to tournaments at the national level. All these accomplishments would have be impossible without our experienced debate coach, Mr. Creech. Mr. Creech tutored us and helped our skill levels grow. He truly paved the way for our achievements, and I think everybody who was in the club will agree with me. This year, however, Mr. Creech is having some difficulties in re-forming the club. This blog was made so that students and parents can show their support for RCMS debate.
Debate has taught me many skills, such as good posture, voice projection, effective researching, and persuasion. All these abilities will help me later on in my life. Debating is truly one of my passions, and I hope the school will support this club in its efforts to teach students what debating truly is.