Students take on "Debate and Donut Holes" at party

Kicking off the semester, Trojan Debate Club held its semesterly interest meeting sharing its love for debate, donut holes and balloons. The event commenced with an introduction to the ins and outs of debate, format and how to win coveted titles at tournaments.  

Hall School of Journalism and Communication professor Michael Gray, who is also the Debate Club’s adviser, explained at the meeting that debate is a competition with equal time allotted to either side and at the end of it, somebody wins and somebody loses.  

Caroline Marshall photo

Students met each other and conversate during Trojan Debate Club's interest meeting.

“It's a game we play with information, knowledge and research skills,” Gray said. “The format of debate that we do is the International Public Debate Association style.  

“It is very accessible, but it is a limited prep style of debate, so you're going to debate multiple topics over the course of one tournament. Oftentimes, there are a range of topics, some political, some pop culture and some sports.”  

Introducing debate to new recruits and interested students, a debate survival game was played to bring students out of their comfort zone. The elimination-style game, balloon debates, placed the students on a sinking hot air balloon with the only way out being to express logical arguments about their item of choice for each category.  

The categories were broad and inclusive ranging from pop icons, cartoons, technological advancements, influential political figures and desserts. The end result was a battle of wits, ultimately unveiling the raw debate potential of new members.  

Ayla Jones was announced as the new balloon debate champion and was gifted the grand prize: a debate club T-shirt.  

 Club members recounted their experiences, journey and sense of fulfillment gained through the club.  

“I didn't do any debate in high school,” said  Vice president Carmen Cruz, who is a sophomore history major from Madison, Alabama. “It's totally a learnable thing, and I figured out I liked it just by coming to the practices and doing it. 

“I really wasn't a very social college student, but it’s definitely made me a better speaker, interpersonally and presentation wise. I am not scared of giving presentations in class anymore because I know that I can speak and make up ideas well. It's just made me a better, more social college student.” 

“I was just invited, and when I came, I liked it,” said Ashton Chancery, a freshman anthropology major from Brewton, Alabama. “I'd say if you just want to come and hang out, you can, and that we're all very friendly.  

“Even if you have even a passing interest, just stop by, and see if you like it. If you don't, then you don't. At least you tried something new.” 

The Debate Club meets every Wednesday from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. in Wallace Hall 336 B, on the third floor of the library building. To stay up to date on debate club activities or reach out for information, visit @trojandebate on Instagram.