Varsity debate is gearing up for a successful season!

Barstow’s debate team has been steadily preparing to tackle the 2024-2025 season in hopes to bring home success. 

This year’s topic is intellectual property rights, which is chosen by the National Speech and Debate Association each academic year, and Barstow’s team is emphasizing a focus on patents, copyrights and trademarks, according to Assistant Coach Lucia Scott.  

“With the way I debate, I can circumvent issues with the topic, and it will be nice to work with,” says varsity member Tyler Bauman ‘25. Although, there have been some hurdles with finding appropriate sources and evidence due to the lack of diversity in potential arguments on the affirmative side. 

Because intellectual property is a topic that deals with a minimal amount of legal doctrine, it can limit the possibility. However, “I’m happy with it because it gives a different basis than what we’ve had with topics in the past. I can see a more well rounded view of how the arguments evolve, which will be really helpful in college debate,” explains another varsity debater, Haddie Schedler ‘25. 

In general, both the coaches and the debaters themselves are feeling pretty comfortable about the topic, thanks to all the prep and organizational work Schedler has done for their general files and how efficiently Aun Hathiari ‘26 has been producing evidence. Bauman has also stood out thanks to their efforts to be a social leader for the team in order to help resolve conflict and make sure that all of their teammates feel seen and understood. 

Though few debaters went to camp over the summer, Barstow’s “top teams are going to have some very good seasons” due to the work that Schedler and Hathiari have done in order to get ready for their first tournaments, says Coach Scott. 

For those who might not know, the file preparation work they’re doing includes checking that all the evidence is up to date, making sure the evidence is explained in a way that keeps it alive throughout the debate, and that prewritten pieces to arguments are succinct and efficient so that as much of the argument as possible is ready by the time the tournament comes. 

Of course, the team building that Bauman has worked on will serve them well in the stressful and sometimes overwhelming tournament atmosphere too. Mentality is something that every competitor knows that can change an entire performance, whether you debate, play basketball,  or professional cornhole. “Separating one’s self esteem from the outcome is something we work really hard on in class,” explains Coach Scott. “Overall, we’ve done a good job of developing a positive relationship.” And all of the work they put into practices and team bonding activities will help the team build a more cohesive squad culture. 

After school on Wednesdays, the debate team meets together in the debate room before spreading  out to other classrooms to do practice debates. These practices are judged by assistant coaches or Coach Scott. Debaters also get the chance to do these debates both in an in person and online setting, depending on whether or not the assistant coaches can make it, which gives them even more experience that builds confidence with both formats. 

When it comes to teams they’re looking out for, everyone is on Bauman’s radar. “Personally, I try not to glamourize or focus on who are the best teams to a point where it would affect me. I go into each round saying, ‘I don’t know you, and I’m going to beat you anyway.’” But, if they had to name some teams, Montgomery Bell Academy and Berkeley Prep are two schools that both Schedler and Bauman are hoping to come across this season. 

Thanks to MSHSAA’s recent lift of the 250 mile travel restriction, the Barstow debate team now has much more opportunity to take their talent to tournaments where they could run into big teams. Along with the access to bigger tournaments, the team will benefit from the amenities that come with well run events, “The quality of life at tournaments is really important,” explains Coach Scott. 

Smaller tournaments just don’t have the organization or the means to provide comfortability for all the teams that come to compete. With this change, the team is looking forward to enjoying a more positive tournament experience. 

Although Barstow debate has only ever gone to TOC bid tournaments, now they have the chance to attend ones with large reputations. The Tournament of Champions, the debate equivalent of national finals, requires two bids for a team to qualify. These bids can be achieved at any registered tournament, and the requirements depend on the size. For larger tournaments, a team would have to make the top sixteen in order to get a bid, and smaller tournaments usually require the top four, according to Coach Scott. 

“I want to see a Barstow team do really good, and hopefully get a bid to the TOC,” adds Schedler. “I’m looking forward to seeing all of our hard work pay off.” 

In addition to building upon their critical thinking and portable skills, the part about debate that stands out the most to its participants is the community. The friendships built from competing together in tournaments, and the experiences working with like-minded people (with some competitive edge) are takeaways from debate that Schedler and Bauman will always value. 

As far as what the Barstow community can do to support its debaters, remember to be mindful of all of the work that your peers put into what they produce. They tackle really complicated and detailed material on a daily basis, so give them some of your time if they want to rant to you about everything they’ve learned. 

Also, Coach Scott encourages teachers to have grace when it comes to debaters doing homework over tournament weekends. Because they don’t have down time from the time they leave campus until they come home, it’s hard for them to prioritize other school work. Although it is up to the students themselves to communicate their needs, “please be gracious” if asked about extensions. 

Finally, remember to support your peers and their accomplishments. Be sure to follow the team on Instagram @barstowdebate to get all the updates!