WLMS Pride! Debate Team Wins, Again!

Debate Team Wins Competition!

The WLMS Debate team defeated Patapsco Middle School on March 29 at the Spring Countywide Middle School Debate held at Murray Hill Middle School.  The debate team has spent may hours preparing to defend the affirmative resolution, "Be it resolved that Howard County Public Schools should institute single gender classes."  The students did and excellent job delivering the speeches, arguing head to head with their opponents during the Crossfire questioning session and then provided a convincing conclusion to impress the judges.  The judges praised and complimented the team on their thorough research of the resolution and defense of their position.  It was an excellent competition and great learning opportunity for the students.  As this was the last countywide debate for the year, the eighth graders on the team are looking forward to participating  in debate in high school, and the returning members are anxious to continue developing their debate skills next year.  Students interested in participating on the debate team next year should contact the GT Resource Teacher, Mrs. April Motaung. Congratulations to the following students: Noah Jack Franc Josh Sophie Lauryn Elly  Da'Myah Isaac Delaney Alex Jair Daisheau Isaiah

WLMS Pride: Victoria Brown Makes it to National Debate Finals

We are pleased to report that Howard County Capitol Debaters won the Middle School National Policy Debate Championship this past weekend in Dallas, Texas.  The team of Lime Kiln students Nikita Datta and Jake Smith and the team of Lime Kiln student Simon Zhu and Montessori student Daniel Budai advanced all the way to the finals of the Middle School Policy Debate National Championship.  As both teams were from Capitol Debate, they were declared National Co-Champions in Policy Debate.  The team of Ellicott Mills student Gabriel Koo and McDonogh School student Alyssa Resar advanced all the way to the quarterfinals of the national championship.  Simon Zhu was awarded top individual speaker in the United States. 

In Public Forum Debate, the team of Elkridge Landing student Meagan Lane and Wilde Lake student Victoria Brown advanced all the way to the finals of the championship before losing a close debate to Sydney Lanier Middle School of Houston, Texas.  The dynamic twin teams from Lime Kiln Middle School of Joe Smith/Jon Smith and Sonya Datta/Alexis Datta advanced all the way to semifinals.  The team of Hammond student Isabel Slavinsky and Lime Kiln student Athena Kan advanced to the final sixteen in the nation before losing. 

There were over 500 students from 26 states (and 1 territory) and 62 schools at the Middle School National Championships hosted by the National Junior Forensic League.  This marks the third year in a row that Capitol Debaters won the national championship.  Special thanks and congratulations go out to Capitol Debate coaches Daryl Burch, Joshua Weingarten, Cayman Giordano, and all the middle school GT teachers in Howard County that worked with most of these students.  We look forward to defending our title in June 2012 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Source: Capitol Debate Team Press Release

Another Win! Congratulations to Our Debate Team!

Should schools ban animal dissection?

The WLMS Debate team defeated Hammond Middle School today in an excellent, hard fought battle over the question whether schools should ban the practice of animal dissections. The debate seemed close at times, especially during the rebuttal; however, our team edged out their opponents in the end by arguing that dissections should be banned. The judges commended the team for the tremendous amount of research and statistics they included in their arguments, as well as the professionalism of their delivery. The WLMS Debate team remains undefeated over the past two years. I also want to congratulate Ms. Motuang for coaching our talented students. Way to go!

What do you think?

Should schools ban animal dissections?