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Young students find issues worthy of debate
By Kevin Dowler Times Herald Staff Writer

A classroom split down the middle, the opposing sides squared off with only their opinions keeping them apart.

It’s more than a simple argument that’s occurring between Grade 6, 7 and 8 students at St. Agnes School.

It’s the school’s new debate club.

The Saskatchewan Elucidative and Debate Association (SEDA) opened its provincial debating competitions to Grade 6 students for the first time this year and the school decided to form a club for the competition, said Stephanie Olson, the debate club’s coach and school librarian.

“I’m pleased with the response, actually I have more kids than I planned for,” Olson said.
Originally Olson planned for under 10 students but about 20 are showing up for the club’s weekly meetings and practice sessions.

"It seems like a good extra curricular activity, and I like speaking and arguing,” said Grade 7 club member Jeff Lockert, 13.

The challenge of trying to prove your point also played a major part in his joining the club, Locked said.
His goal is to improve his speaking skills and to win a trophy in the competitions.

Grade 7 student Sharleen Jones, 12, said she also likes to argue.

In taking part in the club, Jones said, she will improve her talking skills to help her in high school and when she is finished school. Jones plans to continue her competitive debating into her high school years.

As soon as Olson discovered younger students were able to debate competitively, she began searching for interest at the school.

In late September, six club members went to a debating workshop held in Regina.

“And because the interest was so high, Rolf Pritchard (SEDA’s executive manager) came here . . . to give the same lecture,” Olson said.

With the workshops, club practice sessions and the club’s reviewing affirmative speech making at its meetings, the members are ready for action.

“Most of them have a clear idea of what they are supposed to do, now they just have to stand up and do it,” their coach said.

But it is the only group of Grade 6, 7 and 8 students taking part in this level of debate in the city, Olson said.
To be successful debaters, she said, students must have a bit more courage than most of their peers since they must get up and speak in public.

“And they must be logical speakers," she said. “I think a lot of kids like it because it’s a competition that doesn’t involve sports and that’s hard to find at school.

Also, she said, students like the idea of travelling out of town.

Schools with similar aged debate teams are active in Regina, Yorkton, Avonlea and Grenfell.

Two of the four topics set by the provincial body for debate this year are: repealing the mandatory seat belt legislation and the government discouraging fur trapping in Canada.