The Art of Arguing: Alton High School Welcomes its First Debate Team

Contrary to popular belief, debate teams are not only the explosive voices and flushed faces of a heated argument. Debate itself is the structured practice of presenting opposing sides of a conflict or opinion—and this year Alton High is introducing it competitively.

Division Chair and teacher for the school’s English department Matthew Sautman has debate experience from his own high school days.

“…one thing that many people in the community perceive as arguments are shouting or winning, as opposed to ‘here’s my evidence, here’s my case, let me engage with what you’re saying,’” Sautman said. “So much of debate is really about being able to present a strong case, being able to engage with other students, and to kind of challenge you to think more critically and be more persuasive as a public speaker.”

Alton high has long offered a discussion and debate class, previously taught by Kristi Doering, but this will be its first shot at a competitive team. Both the team and the class will be run by English teacher Allyson Moulton, who is beginning her second year with the high school staff. Moulton has extensive experience with debate, a factor that played heavily into the addition of a team for Alton.

While specific dates involving the beginning of the debate season have not yet been released, typical schedules begin in mid-to-late September and run through early spring. Debaters will be given opposing viewpoints against another team on a shared topic or issue, and will then attempt to convince a judge to side with their viewpoint within a set time limit using reason and evidence.

Reese Hafertepe, a senior in the discussion and debate class, expressed her concern over a lack of enrollment.

“I think the main challenge facing the debate team is interest.” Hafertepe said.

Many students and staff are excited about the team, but spreading knowledge of its existence has proven to be a struggle. Sautman predicts that Moulton will need to recruit students from outside the debate class to participate in the team.

“I suspect the first year is going to be smaller,” Sautman said. “but I hope that it can eventually build up large enough that we can be able to give this experience where students are able not just to gain these skills, but to build this community.”

Sautman recalled how joining debate helped him polish his speaking abilities and gain confidence in a controlled environment. Any students interested in learning these skills—or learning how to effectively argue a point—are encouraged to contact Moulton about participating in debate.