A Tournament of Champions

Alex talks with tournament director Dave Arnett about the middle school debate championship.

This spring, more than 250 middle school students traveled to Lexington, Kentucky, in the hope of becoming a national debate champion. The University of Kentucky hosted the first-ever Middle School Tournament of Champions (MSTOC). The tournament is an extension of the high school Tournament of Champions, which is considered the most prestigious national debate tournament in the United States.

I was among the hopefuls who competed. All of the middle school debaters arrived on campus early on May 13, dressed in business attire. Most of the boys wore suits and ties, and the girls wore dresses or pantsuits.   

The idea was that debaters arguing about serious topics should look the part. I competed in a form of debate called Lincoln Douglas, a one-on-one debate and about philosophical and policy issues. 

 

A SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

There were several other types of debate at the tournament. Each debate had a judge or panel of judges who decided the winner. Savon Ayodeji, Director of Debate Programs for Capitol Debate and a judge in the tournament, expressed his views about the MSTOC.

“As the coach of a program with a large middle school section, I really enjoyed the experience,” Ayodeji said. “The hospitality and efficiency of the tournament far exceed any others we attend.”

Isabella Yang, a middle school competitor from San Diego, explained what made the event so special for her. “Being in the MSTOC environment surrounded by distinguished public speakers,” she said, “is something that I really don't get a chance to experience very often and is something that I will cherish for years to come.”

Alex at the University of Kentucky in Lexington for the debate championship

 

“A TOURNAMENT FOR THE VERY BEST”

The MSTOC hosts some of the best middle school debaters in the U.S. “Our goal . . . is to provide a tournament for the very best speech and debate competitors to prove that they are of championship caliber,” said Dave Arnett, Director of Debate at the University of Kentucky and also the director of the tournament.

At this tournament, every single debater was very prepared. I came home with a second place award. For me, it was gratifying to have put a lot of time and effort into something I really enjoy.