The Plainfield Chapter of the Junior Statesmen Foundation wins big in Debate Conference

By Jeff Truitt

There is much to celebrate in regard to the Plainfield High School participation in the Junior Statesmen Debate Conference this past weekend.

The Plainfield Chapter of the Junior Statesmen Foundation attended a Debate Conference this past weekend in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. Twenty-seven students and three teacher-advisors attended this conference. Every student who attended this conference were required to attend training sessions every Tuesday and Thursday after school in order to prepare for the rigorous debate schedule. During the training sessions Plainfield High School Debate Team students engaged in debates and thought talks. The training sessions were at times grueling and challenging. Students are required to use bullet points and/ or speeches to present either an affirmative or negative argument for a given resolution. The topics varied from legalization of abortion or marijuana to school prayer or the war in Iraq. After students presented an oral argument they undergo a cross examination by either one individual opponent or all members, who at random, raise their hands, so as to be recognized for what is known as an “inquiry”, a procedure commonly associated with Robert’s Rules of Order or general parliamentary procedure. The rigorous training sessions ultimately paid off because five (5) students from Plainfield successfully competed by winning seven best debater awards. Mr. Jeffrey W. Truitt is the advisor-coach. He was assisted by Mr. Paul J. Pannone and Ms. Molly Banta. Mr. Truitt teaches United States History II Honors, U.S. History II, and Law and Political Action. Mr. Pannone is the Social Studies Department Coordinator and currently teaches a U.S. History II Honors Class. Ms. Banta is the advisor to the Henry Banta National Honors Society, founded by her grandfather, as well as a teacher of the Advanced Placement Studies program for U.S. History II.

Every student who attended this conference was expected to participate in a debate as a main speaker, subsequent speaker, and or moderator.  Between 400-500 students were in attendance, representing schools from the surrounding area, including Scotch Plains, Secaucus High School, South Brunswick High School to name a few.   I am proud to say that Plainfield had, perhaps the most diverse team in attendance. A couple of the award recipients are first year students, who show great promise and talent. Special recognition should go to Nelson Hernandez, who is a first year student and who is the recipient of three best debater awards. Nelson competed successfully against upperclassmen from other school districts.

Yet what is more newsworthy is our success.  The Debate Conference was held on Saturday, November 18 and Sunday, November 19, 2006.  Over eighty debates were held during this two-day period.  Each student participated in a minimum of eight debates as a main speaker, subsequent speaker, or spectator.  The experience was exhilarating and ground breaking for our students. I am already beginning to see positive change and growth. Their experiences will ultimately affect their hearts and minds beyond what they may even begin to conceptualize. I know this from my over twenty years of experience as a Debate Team Advisor-Coach.

A best debater is selected for each debate.  Our school (Chapter) won a total of seven (7) best debater awards. Among the recipients of this honor are the following students:

Moreover, although not eligible for a best debater award, Laura Ann Jones, was a moderator of a thought talk. Laura Ann's performance was outstanding and indicative of the great training and commitment that she exemplifies as a result of her interest in debate and intellectual inquiry. I view our success this past weekend as a beginning point. There is much room for growth. What I hope we can do as a district is to craft a program that will enable our students to hone their debate skills and create a foundation upon which students will more successfully use primary documents and documentation per se as our students grow in their ability to articulate, engage in higher order thinking, and superior intellectual discourse.