The Lincoln Southwest debate team is set to compete for the first time of the season this Saturday, Nov. 10 in Norfolk, Nebraska.

The Hawks were unable to participate in the previous tournament last Saturday, Nov. 3, due to the tournament being held at Southwest.

Debate coach Mrs. Toni Heimes has been preparing all of the debate students for the upcoming tournaments.

“This year the team has 50 members,” Heimes said. “We have been working diligently to get the novice competitors ready for their first big tournament.”

Many of the students currently on the Southwest team are returning members from the years prior, some students even on their fourth consecutive year.

“Last year we had many of our students who were in their first year of Varsity competitions,” Heimes said. “This year, our Varsity squads are experienced, prepared and ready to go.  We hope to be very competitive on the Nebraska circuit.”

The debate team is scheduled to compete in 12 more tournaments throughout the rest of the season, with the final tournament to be held on Saturday, Feb. 16.

Afterwards, the National Speech and Debate Association (NSDA) debate qualifier will be held on March 1 and 2, followed by State Debate March 22 and 23, and the NSDA Nationals held in Dallas, Texas June 15 – 22.

“I haven’t made it to State before, but I hope I will make it this year,” senior Blayne Winkler said. “I enjoy learning more about different topics and working to improve my speaking and presentation skills.”

In debate, there are two main styles, consisting of  Lincoln-Douglas, in which one student affirms the topic while one negates, and public forum, in which two partners affirm the topic while another pair of students negate. However, there are many secondary styles of debate, such as congress legislation, policy and extemp that have been increasing in popularity over the years.

“I’m in congressional debate, but I also did public forum for two years,” senior Yahaira Gabriela said. “What I love best about debate is the friendships I have created through it. There are so many important people in my life that I wouldn’t have if it wasn’t for debate.”