On March 29, the Boston Latin School Speech and Debate Team hosted the Massachusetts Speech and Debate League (MSDL) State Debate Championship Tournament. The team hosted over 500 competitors and 200 judges, requiring contributions from coaches, captains, parents and staff alike.
The first rounds of the tournament were hosted virtually on Friday afternoon, allowing teams to get accustomed to the other teams and their respective topics. The MSDL was able to take care of many administrative tasks for the events while the captains planned the logistics for the concession stand, parking, room usage and Wi-Fi.
Numerous volunteers helped out throughout the day, ensuring that the day went well in terms of the concession stand and directions for rooms. Public Forum captain Caroline Song (I) remarks, “It’s also quite amusing bartering with some of the competitors and debating with them over concession prices.”
Organizing such a large event involves months of preparation. Co-captains William Liyuan (I) and Roan Wilcox (I) played some of the larger parts in planning throughout coaching transitions. They encountered various challenges by the end of the day, specifically when making estimates on when volunteers could start returning rooms to their original state without having to stay late.
Despite these challenges, the tournament was a success. Lincoln Douglas captain and competitor Mila Matteson (II) mentions, “Rounds were running on time, and we had high volunteer turnout, which was incredibly helpful.”
The team hopes to have more competitors qualify for prestigious tournaments, including the Tournament of Champions and the National Speech and Debate Association’s National Tournament. They prepare for their next steps as a whole, expanding with new members each year.
During the season, the team consistently attends local tournaments to gain more experience in their respective events. The countless hours of preparation before each weekend may be tedious, but this ensures the team is well-equipped for competition.
The coaching transition has proven to be a challenge this year, but the team is excited to have Mr. Kaushal Balagurusamy, a renowned debater, as their head coach, to ensure that the club continues to thrive.
A large event such as this would not have been possible without the continued support of the team, volunteers and the general community. Faculty advisor and BLS English teacher Mr. Yilmaz Yoruk reflects, “I’m always so impressed by the commitment and dedication of the parents who show up time and again as judges and chaperones to various events.”