How Joining Debate Club Changed My Life for the Better

On a random Monday last November, my friend came up to my desk, pleading with me to join her at a debate club meeting. At first, I wasn’t enthusiastic about going to a place filled with unfamiliar faces, but I went anyways.  Little did I know, my friend forced me to go to a club that I would end up being passionate about; a club that is the basis of so many great memories. 

At first, I did not want to go since I thought it was a club run by a strict teacher that would strip any fun out of it. I was also scared that students there would be intimidating, and that I would regret joining Debate Club. 

I could not be more wrong.

Despite my initial doubts, I figured it couldn’t be that bad since a couple of my friends were already members. When I went to the meeting, we had an impromptu debate: one that we get minimal preparation time before starting. Once this mini debate was over, the grade twelves had an announcement to make: a grade nine or ten student was needed to debate in the upcoming tournament. No experience necessary. Nobody else was available, so they turned to me. Just like when I was deciding whether to go to the meeting, I was unsure at first but then decided to do it.

It would be a lie to say that the weeks prior to the debate were not stressful. In fact, I had a mere twelve days to write my speech and to prepare for the debate, which was extremely overwhelming. It did not help that almost every person debating—whether that be on the novice, junior, or senior team—was practically done writing their speech, including my debate partner, whom I had never heard of before that meeting (sorry!). 

The resolution for this debate was, “Be it resolved that (BIRT) western corporate media was primarily designed to manipulate, not inform, the public.” Luckily for me, I was already familiar with this topic, specifically how modern-day news stations manipulate the news through politically biases. Despite this, I was still nervous. I remember reading my five-minute speech during the first of three debates that day. My legs and hands were shaking, yet I managed to deliver at least half the speech without glancing down at my page. At other times in the debate, my partner was helpful in sliding me questions to ask or giving me ideas on what to include in my rebuttal. Looking back, it was one of the best resolutions I debated, even if I was nerve-wracked the entire time.

Fast-forward to the awards ceremony: after three intense debates, you would think that my team and I wouldn’t have done well, right? After all, it was my first formal debate and only had twelve days to write it.

Well, think again! My partner and I, representing the affirmative side, along with the negative side of the novice team, won every single debate.

These victories earned us the title of the first-place novice team! I was, and still am, extremely proud of that win. 

Later, I debated in the Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB) Championship Tournament, which was poorly planned. They did not have divisions, so I had to face a pair of extremely experienced and championship senior debaters, not once, but twice. Evidently, I did not do well.

In the debates that followed, my team came first again, then second, and I came third individually. Finally, it was time for the Ontario Pro-Con Debate Forum Championship. The resolution? “BIRT religion has done more good than harm.” It was a tough resolution to defend, but somehow, we were victorious and crowned the 2025 Novice Team Champions! I am also immensely proud that I came second individually, only two points away from the first place debater. If you’re interested in checking out a recap of that tournament, check out this article.

Although it was stressful at times, attending Friday night practices and debating at competitions have been the source of so many great memories and lessons. It is crazy to think that I never would have been friends with any of the debaters there if I were never dragged to that one meeting. Of course, I am grateful that my friend brought me there, but I am also grateful for the lessons and skills that I learned from debate.

Before I started debating, I would feel nervous before presentations struggled to memorize material quickly. However, as debaters are partially graded on their confidence and delivery, I was forced to learn how to confidently deliver a speech that was at least partially memorized. (In fact, a couple weeks after the Championship Debate, I was still able to recite parts of my speech, since I had to memorize the whole thing!) I had to learn how to think on the spot, how to defend my statements, how to clearly get a point across, and how to be a good teammate. 

The last lesson I learned is important to me as is no team placed at the Pro-Con Championship Tournament solely because of one individual. Being a debater means that, yes, one can persuade the judge that their side is right, but also that one can help their partner during the debate. 

For example, in my second debate with my current partner, it was one of his cross examination periods. The resolution for that debate was: “BIRT historical figures should be judged by the standards of their time, not by today’s ethical standards.” One of the points that the negative side brought up was that morals are the same no matter one’s era or culture. In the debate practice the day prior, I remembered one of my friends saying that “33% of young Jordanians agree with the concept of honour killings.” I knew this, but my partner did not. So, in my notebook I wrote that same statistic, which he used against our opponents. 

I could have chosen to not pay attention to what was happening during his cross, but I did. If I never helped my partner or if he never helped me, then we likely would not have placed first overall in that tournament, never mind the championship debate.

Debate taught me important public speaking skills, critical thinking, and the power of a well-crafted argument. More importantly, it gave me friendships, experiences, and lessons that I will always remember. I am especially grateful that I met one of the twelfth graders who ran the club. I will forever cherish her humor and kindness, along with the texts and memories that I made with her. You know who you are, and I thank you.

If there is a debate club at school, I’d strongly suggest that you join it. For those that are not interested in debating, finding another club to join will lead to making friendships and memories that will be remembered long after high school.