A high school class where students perfect the art of arguing–an “art” kids are never allowed to dabble in at home–becomes a highly refined and competitive environment.

Debate class is no joke, and neither is its teacher, Ms. Dylan Bennett, who lead the varsity debate team to several victories September 22-23 at Clear Falls High School.

The first competition of the year may seem nerve racking to many. With new expectations, judges, competitors, and a few debate-less months, it’s expected that a teacher would be nervous for their students.

Yet Ms. Bennett is no ordinary teacher. Rather than feeling anxious, she lead her students with confidence; “I felt eager and excited about the competition,” Ms. Bennett said. “After the delay of the hurricane, the competition provided the kids with a sense of normality.”

After two weeks of harsh down-pour and flash flooding, the tournament proved to be a distraction from the damage brought by Hurricane Harvey. Here, students no longer had to worry about a flooded home or car.

Debate brings people together in an odd way.  Through structured arguments and recited prose, students feel a sense of togetherness. Though competitive, the competition itself is a way for students to come together and be with one another.

“Debate is a community event, the kids working with one another to build cases and participate in various events,” Bennett said.

Students feel as if they can be a part of something away from home. Away from the walls of trash that line their neighborhood streets. Away from insurance talk and stressed parents. Here they have one focus; winning.

With this focus in mind, Clear Spings’ team fought the competition head-on, and brought home some considerable victories during the first competition of the year. Maria Aykara (12) placed 3^rd in Foreign Extemp Speaking and 5^th in Congressional Debate. Nick Champagne (12) placed 5^th in Domestic Extemp. Erin Pritchard (11) and Ally Boehning (11) advanced to the Public Forum Quarter Finals.

“I felt proud of my kids, knowing that they bring many different perspectives and arguments to the various topics and debate events.” Ms. Bennett said.

Ms. Bennett is looking forward to the upcoming tournaments, as the first of the school year went well. During the next competition, October 27-28, Bennett will begin to introduce a new class of novice debate students. With case developments underway, the new students are expected to follow the upperclassmen along the path to success.