This year our school added a new club for the students to enjoy. The debate club is where students learn how to voice their opinions. The club’s advisor and creator is Mr. Bruno, a new history teacher. He has opened a space for students to learn the art of debating. This club has already drawn many interested students. At these meetings, there are some serious debates and some fun ones. The debate club has already discussed the presidential election and the upcoming debate will be about the Israel and Palestine situation. There will also be future debates about some fun topics, such as whether pineapple should be on pizza.
These debates are what will help students grow. The students are told about the topic a week in advance. Mr. Bruno gives the students resources to take notes and be ready for the challenge. Students are expected to be prepared to debate either side of the argument. Normally, three people are on each side, and they have a minute to argue their position on a specific topic. So far, everyone has been very respectful; hopefully, it will continue.
Mr. Bruno has been asked a few questions about the club. He started the debate club because he felt it was important for students to embrace diverse and opposing opinions on various topics. He thinks the club would be an excellent way for students to avoid falling into groupthink, a situation where people surround themselves with only one side of events or ideas. He also believes that it is good for students to justify their opinions. Mr. Bruno has seen that students enjoy this club since there are currently 33 members. He wants those students and future members to learn how to validate the argument. He hopes to get this club to compete against other schools in the future.
This has been a wonderful and diverse addition to the school’s list of extracurriculars. Many have already started to enjoy it; hopefully, many more will.
A message from Mr. Bruno: “ I hope that if any of these points strike a chord within you, or maybe sound rather interesting, please feel free to see me about joining—it may not be too late! If you are unable to join this year but are still interested sometime next year, feel free to reach out and join then!”