Westminster's Debate Program
The Westminster debate team was started in 1987 by Dr. John Bartlett (Interim Headmaster). Through the years it has offered Westminster students the opportunity to develop their skills in critical thinking, research, and argumentation. Our hope is that they will use these debate skills and experiences to serve the Lord in His kingdom. The following information provides a snapshot of what Westminster's program entails. The current debate coach is Craig Johnson (cjohnson@wsa.net).
Policy Debate
The GISA debate teams compete in policy debate. In this debate format, a team of two debaters competes in each tournament by arguing both for (affirmative) and against (negative) a predetermined annual resolution. These resolutions focus on U.S. government policy (either domestic or international) and are selected by a coalition of several national debate organizations each year (see below). This debate format requires teamwork and intense research preparation. Debaters are expected to both provide current evidence to support their arguments and organize their positions in a standard format.
2008-09 Resolution
Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially increase alternative energy incentives in the United States.
Novice Debate
This semester course covers the beginning elements of policy debate. It is reserved for 9th graders who have an interest in pursuing debate at some point during their secondary school years. Emphasis is placed on training in debate theory and on argument covered by the current high school debate topic. The course also includes debate research and coordination needed for attending debate tournaments during the debate season.
Varsity Debate
This semester course is offered to 10th graders who competed as novices during the previous year, and to 11th and 12th graders who have attended an extensive summer debate workshop. It is designed to provide time to discuss debate theory and arguments, and is needed to prepare for competing in tournaments during the year.
NFL Membership and Award
Westminster Preparatory School is a chapter member in the National Forensic League (NFL). Founded in 1925, the NFL is a speech honorary society which is represented in 2,700 schools nationwide. The league sponsors awards based upon participation and success in speech and debate events. These awards are placed on transcripts sent to colleges and are recognized at the Honors Day assembly each year.
Fall 2008 the NFL informed Westminster's chapter it had earned the Leading Chapter Award in the Georgia Southern Peach District. Out of over 2,900 member schools nationwide, Westminster is one of only 104 to be recognized in this manner. Over the past 14 years Westminster students have accumulated 308 degrees in the NFL. Congratulations to the many Westminster debaters who contributed to this achievement.
