The LHS Speech and Debate team went to state on April 23-25. Now, a few students are getting ready for a separate event, nationals, happening in Richmond, Virginia, on June 14-19.

“I went to state this year, and I’m also going to nationals for extemporaneous debate,” said freshman Josephine Richards. “Dylan Crandall and Aiden Konoske are also going to nationals for public forum, and Nathan Ko and Hannah Ibsen are going for [Lincoln-Douglas] debate.”

A public forum is a two-on-two debate in front of a judge.

“The Lincoln-Douglas debate is a one person versus another person, and we get the topic a month beforehand, and you prepare for both sides of the argument,” said sophomore Hannah Ibser. “I’m preparing for something about individual rights vs. national security.”

The variety of categories and types of debates makes it very enjoyable for students.

“Speech and debate is a really fun activity,” said Richards. “You’re really there to compete and build skill, like public speaking, thinking on the spot and speaking clearly. If anyone wants to kind of join, you really should.”

This year’s team consists of many seniors, so the team is looking for more debaters.

“You don’t need any experience,” said junior Ezra Mayan. “I sucked the first year I did debate, and it’s only been upwards from there.”