The Parsons High School debate team kicked off its season at a tournament in Pittsburg Saturday.
Many of the usual schools showed like Independence, Chanute, Coffeyville, and Fort Scott.
“Of note, Paola and Olathe South showed up. That was a surprise. The big boys usually wait till later in the seasons to come down and see us,” PHS debate teacher Ed Workman said. “It was a welcome surprise because they are good competition. I mean steel sharpens steel.”
Two open teams competed for PHS, consisting of third- or fourth-year debaters. In addition, three novice teams competed (six students).
The open debaters each won four rounds and lost one and each of the novice teams won two and lost three.
“I always tell them, when we go into the first tournament, I don’t have any hard expectations, because going forward, once I know what kind of debater you are I expect you to compete at that level. That’s what I’m going to hold you to, but somebody’s first tournament…,” Workman said. “I’ve had people who were great and charismatic and then when they were actually in competition it didn't go so well. And, I’ve had the kid that sat in the back trying not to say anything, like a mouse, turn out to be the fiercest competitor on the team. Until they have actually done it, you just withhold judgment. Two out of three, I don’t mind that at all. That’s a good start. It’s all up from there.”
With Paola and Olathe South competing there, Workman said he was very proud of his students’ start.
“They are going to make you work for it. Every win you get, you are going to work for,” he said.
Jayce Quirin and Madelyn Armitage finished 4-1 and finished third. Jazzy Palmer and Makenzie Taliaferro also finished 4-1 for fifth place. Overall the PHS team finished fifth.
Students this season are debating fiscal redistribution through either expanding Social Security, a universal base income, or federal job security – the ways to do it and should we do it.
“In plain language, it’s all about ways to decrease the wealth gap. The gap in the last couple of decades between the wealthiest people in our country and the middle class has grown bigger than it has ever been. There was a time when the guy who owned the factory in town might have $1 million in the bank and whoever was chief foreman of the crew might have $100,000. Now we have situations where Jeff Bezos has $93 billion and someone working on the factory floor has $60,000. That gap between the two has grown huge,” Workman said. “So, it’s a very socially conscious topic.”
“I wish they hadn’t limited us to three ways to do it, because I’ve always been kind of a fan of
entrepreneurship. Instead of guaranteeing someone a job or increasing a federal program, make it easier for people to start their own businesses. There are other ways to do things. But rules are rules and they gave us three ways to do it.”
This is definitely an opportunity for students to get an education in things they did not know anything about and delving into the pros and cons of each. Workman had his hands full just educating students about the government and how these systems work.
The students next tournament is Oct. 14 in Coffeyville.