The Centre Middle School Debate Team held its awards ceremony Wednesday, and there was much to celebrate.  The Debate Warriors placed first in every debate category in the inaugural season of the Northeast Alabama Debate and Public Speaking League, hosted by Jacksonville State University.

Having gone 8-0 for the season, the Debate Warriors won first place for number of wins, win percentage, and individual debate performance.  Centre had four debate competitors in the final competition—Joel Bishop, Sarah Lloyd, Abbie Reynolds, and Olivia Windsor–and they were the top four speakers in the league, having tied for First Place as individual performers, with two perfect scores each.

CMS team captain Abbie Reynolds was named the school’s Most Valuable Debater for the season.  In addition to tying for first place in the league, Miss Reynolds distinguished herself by taking on extra work for the team, providing valuable help with research and speech-writing.

CMS competes in the Northeast Alabama Regional Debate and Public Speaking League this year were:

• Gold Debate Squad:

o          Joel Bishop, Captain

o          Sarah Lloyd

o          Kaliece Hall

• Warrior Debate Squad:

o          Abbie Reynolds, Captain

o          Olivia Windsor

• Individual Public Speakers:

o          Makenzie Green

o          Reagan Hunter

o          Eugenia Hooper

Scott Lloyd is the head coach and Laura Lloyd is the assistant coach.  

League commissioners are Dr. Lori Owens and Dr. Benjie Blair, both of the JSU faculty.  Their assistant, Casey Mooney and JSU Honors Program students also were instrumental in coordinating the competitions.

The JSU league held two competitions this year.

In the first competition, held on February 9, students debated the resolution, “The United States should withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement,” arguing for withdrawing from the treaty in the first round of the evening and then against withdrawing in the second round.

The Debate Warriors had two squads arguing two rounds each, and won all four of their rounds.   Students had to show an understanding of climate science, international relations, and constitutional law. 

In the Individual Public Speaking division, Centre native Makenzie Green won gold for her speech calling for increased funding for childhood cancer research. Makenzie is a survivor of childhood cancer.

 Teammate Reagan Hunter won bronze for his speech opposing gun control. 

Eugenia Hooper also participated as an individual public speaker.

In the second competition, held on March 16, CMS debated the resolution, “The United States should abolish all agricultural subsidies,” arguing against abolishing subsidies in the first round of the evening and for abolishing them in the second round.

The Debate Warriors again had two squads arguing two rounds each, and again won all four of their rounds.  Students had to show an understanding of history, economics, and environmental policy.

CMS students participating in public speaking on March 16 again were Makenzie Green, Reagan Hunter, and Eugenia Hooper.

I would like to congratulate the students on their achievements.  They worked hard and earned it.  Their parents deserve a great deal of credit for supporting the kids and working with them.  I also would like to thank JSU, Dr. Lori Owens and Dr. Benjie Blair for hosting our league.  We have had some financial benefactors who have helped our debate program, including Al and Anne Shumaker, Senator Phil Williams, Bill Hawkins, and Shane Givens.  Finally, we couldn’t have a team without the support of our administration, our board of education, Principal Jennifer Mackey and Superintendent Mitchell Guice.