access carly

1.1.2015

I have been debating Lincoln Douglas Style debate for three years, and this is my debate story.

In 2011, I was in 8th grade. I was nerdy, and wore bows in my hair, but most of all, it's where my passion for debate first started. We had just finished reading The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton when we were given a class assignment to debate whether or not Johnny's act of self defense would be seen as murder in the eyes of the law. It seemed like a fun assignment. While others were coming up with their own reasoning, that may or may not have made sense, I went to the library to use the computer to look up laws about self defense. When it was my turn to speak, I was ready. No one else had bothered to look up facts and I had a secret weapon, a law, stating that murder in self defense was different from 1st degree murder. I was very excited. Because it was obvious that no one could make a sensical argument against mine, my teacher told me to switch sides and start arguing that Johnny was in the wrong for killing. I was rather taken aback, why would I switch sides, when I believed that he was honestly defending himself? My teacher told me that it was a way to open my mind, and that thinking of things from different sides helps us understand where other people are coming from. Reluctantly I did, and I argued that poor little Johnny had no witnesses to show that he was defending himself, and so no matter what his real intentions where in the eyes of the law, it was murder. My ability to change sides so easily astounded me. It was awesome, and empowering to be able to persuade my fellow classmates that I was right, no matter what side that I was advocating for. 

The next year, in high school, I took a speech and debate class. I learned the format of Lincoln Douglas Debate, how to write cases, and how to think on my feet. At my first tournament, I qualified for regionals, made it to state, where I placed 9th. That summer, I went to a debate camp, and debated all throughout the next year, placing 2nd in state. Dreaming of the big leagues I went to two debate camps the summer of my sophomore year, where I was exposed to the world of national circuit debate, a whole different ball game, that I never knew existed. At the National Symposium for Debate summer camp I met Daisy and became aware of Access Debate, which would be able to provide me with opportunities that I would never have gotten otherwise. Since being apart of Access Debate I have been two 2 national tournaments and will be attending my third one this very weekend. I have made friends on the national circuit, and have become a whole lot smarter. I've learned the lingo, and can appreciate a really good debate round. 

I love debating, it is a way to be heard and share my ideas. It helps me problem solve, and think lighting fast, allowing me to find solutions to real world problems, and teach me civil discourse. I went to NSD thinking that I might be able to go to one tournament if we could afford it, but I left with the greatest gift someone could give, a chance. Access Debate has a given me a chance to shine, and to do something that I love, when I would otherwise not be able to do it. I have volunteer coaching, from an amazing, and hilarious coach, who's also a friend; and I've found a niche where I have people who care about me, even though I may not have the best cases or the largest back files. We're a team, and I am so grateful to have them by my side.