River Dell High School recently welcomed debate teams from across the region for a full-day tournament packed with high-level competition, sharp arguments, and standout performances. The event showcased not only the strength of River Dell’s debate program but also the dedication and talent of its student debaters.
Henry Wacks, an 11th-grade member of the team, shared his experience competing at the event and offered a behind-the-scenes look at what it’s like to represent River Dell in such a competitive setting.
“In debate, teams are kept anonymous throughout the day to prevent cheating, so nobody really knows you’re representing River Dell,” Henry explained. “That is until they announce the winners, where it’s always really rewarding to hear your name and school called. We have a great program, so River Dell was called a lot!”
Hosting the tournament came with its own unique energy. “It has its ups and downs,” Henry said. “It can get awkward when you’re going against a team and your friends are watching. If you debate well though, it looks pretty cool!”
This tournament presented an unexpected challenge for Henry. “Unfortunately, my partner was sick, so I got paired last minute with a debater from Becton. Learning to adjust and still be competitive was definitely a challenge without the synergy my partner and I normally have.”
Preparing for a debate tournament is no small task. “There’s a lot of prep that goes into debate,” Henry said. “LOTS of research, speech writing, speech practicing, and more research. We’re constantly paying attention to government and international news to see if new information about the year’s topic has come out.”
Henry credits debate with helping him grow in multiple areas. “Debate definitely develops public speaking skills a lot, but it has helped me become a better researcher, speech writer, and has taught me to think on my feet.”
When asked how he manages nerves during a round, Henry shared a confident mindset: “I like to remind myself that I’m in the place that I’m in for a reason and trust myself more than anything. It’s important to be confident in your skills. During debates I trust my decision making more than anything, which shows confidence to the judges and helps silence those nerves.”
Henry’s favorite moment of the day came during a final round of cross-examination. “The opposing team conceded that they believed Antarctica to be a part of the Arctic. (It’s not!) When something like this happens, it’s very easy to say something like ‘This team doesn’t understand the topic so there’s no way they could effectively argue a plan.’ Debate can be ruthless at times, but when you’re on the right side of it, it’s fun and satisfying.”
River Dell’s team had a strong showing. “We had one judge win a best judge award, two debaters win speaker awards, and one team finish second overall! It’s always good to see River Dell bring home hardware, especially on home turf.”
Henry encourages anyone interested to give debate a try. “Join! It’s absolutely a challenging team, but I can safely say it’s been one of the most rewarding experiences of my high school career. The skills you learn translate to everyday life and will help you be a better speaker and critical thinker. Plus, it’s a great college resume addition.”
With students like Henry leading the way, River Dell’s debate team continues to thrive—proving that sharp minds and strong voices make a powerful combination.
