Huntington Debate Club Spurs Verbal Battles

There’s a group of Huntington High School students who love a good argument. These teenagers are members of the debate club. They engage in verbal battle within a framework and consistent with a set of rules that prevents matters from spiraling into chaos.

The organization was formed in 2018. It meets every Tuesday afternoon. “We tackle topics that include abolishing the Electoral College, mandatory school uniforms, the dangers or social media and Stars Wars vs. Harry Potter,” said Debora Balducci, a high school social studies teacher who serves as the club’s faculty advisor.

The debate club’s executive board includes David Goldstein (president), John Joyce (vice president), Nicolas Francis (recording secretary), Ludo Cattano (corresponding secretary) and Tyler Wheeler (treasurer).

“We welcome new members each week and encourage students to get out of their comfort zone and challenge themselves,” Ms. Balducci said.

Learning to debate and engage in public speaking carries lifelong benefits, according to the American Debate League, including:

• Developing oral and written communication skills

• Developing critical thinking skills

• Developing effective tools for research, organization and presentation

• Developing strategies to overcome fears of public speaking

• Discovering the confidence and desire to participate in all academic classes

“I can say it is a very fun and informational club,” Mr. Cattano said. “It opens you up to new ideas and maybe can change your perspective on an issue. Another great thing is you don’t have to be a weekly member. If a topic one week interests you, you can go then if you’d like. There is no obligation for people to come to every debate. It’s great for people who have a busy schedule.”

The American Debate League believes that students who participate in debate programs will enhance the following skills:

• Confidence – Belief in themselves and their abilities and the desire to participate in all classes

• Curiosity – The passion of discovery through effective tools for research, organization and presentation

• Critical Thinking – How to explore the world through the lens of an inquisitive mind

• Communication – Oral and written skills and strategies for lively yet respectful discussions and disagreements

• Control – Eliminate the fears of public speaking

• Creativity – The desire to explore, create and invent

• Camaraderie – Meet like-minded peers at tournaments and build healthy bonds of competition

• Leadership – Self-motivation and the ability to delegate assignments and manage peers

Send a message to Ms. Balducci at dbalducci@hufsd.edu for more information about the club.