High school debaters compete at UAA

On April 16-17, 34 high school students from Chugiak, Dimond, Homer, South and West high schools competed in the 3rd Annual Northern Lights Debating Tournament.

Every year, the Alaska Debating Society and the Seawolf Debate Team jointly host this event that brings students from across Alaska together to engage one another on controversial topics in the British Parliamentary debate format, which is practiced at the World Universities Debating Championships.

This year, students examined such topics as whether or not companies should be allowed to engage in electioneering communication, whether the government should pay people to learn an Alaska Native language, and whether the U.S. should support the political opposition in Iran.

The championship round pit two teams from South High School, a hybrid team from South and Chugiak high schools, and a team from Dimond High School against one another as they debated whether suspected terrorists should be tried in civilian courts or in military tribunals.

At the end of the weekend, the Alaska Debating Society and the Seawolf Debate Team, along with generous financial support from UAA's Student Clubs and Greek Life, awarded each member of the championship team and the tournament's top speaker with $250 cash scholarships for distinguishing themselves through academic achievement in debate.