The Union University debate team virtually competed in a debate on Friday, Oct. 23 and Saturday, Oct. 24 in White Hall.
All of the debate team’s competitions will be virtual this semester because of the COVID-19 pandemic. This weekend, 18 team members competed from numerous different rooms in White Hall. The team members were given a variety of topics to debate, which is narrowed by them and their competitors.
Hattie Thomasson, junior accounting major and social media manager of the debate team, has found positive and negative aspects of the new format the team is facing this season.
“It is different doing everything online. One thing I have found that is positive is I feel that I can stay focused because there are less distractions around me when I compete.”
Thomasson, however, also said that competing virtually brings about new struggles that would not be present at normal competition, such as technological malfunctions.
“Obviously being online has made it more difficult in some aspects because of video delays, unpredictable technology problems and sound issues, but we are grateful to be able to compete.”
11 out of 18 debaters made it to the elimination rounds, which is a success for the debate team.
There were four different divisions in which debate students competed: novice, junior varsity, varsity and professional.
With the success of the individual competitors, Union’s debate team was able to bring home the overall first place award.
Coach Rebekah Whitaker, assistant professor or communication arts and director of debate, has found that the new format has allowed them to embrace the motto of “grace and mercy” in a new way.
Whitaker, who is in her second year as director of debate, uses this philosophy in all of her endeavors and said that the team is finding that this is truly apart of everything in life right now.
“We are all able to relate to each other in some way right now because we all understand the unpredictability of our circumstances. The students are seeing that with each other, with me and with fellow competitors.”
Coach Whitaker added that there is some familiarity with their tournaments this season, such as prepping students individually before the debate and having “home base” within the building they are all dispersed throughout.
The team traveled just down the road the weekend prior and competed in Union’s School of Professional Studies instead of White Hall. This gave a feel of a normal tournament because the team traveled together which allowed for more bonding time.
The debate team is using this season to embrace Whitaker’s “grace and mercy” philosophy in a new way as they navigate these unprecedented times together and are using this opportunity to live out Union’s Christian values.
“Our mission field is expanding through this virtual tournament situation that we have to be in because of the pandemic,” Whitaker said. “It’s actually turning out to be a really great blessing.”
The team competes again on Nov. 7-8 and Dec. 5-6 in the virtual format as they continue to add to Union’s historic legacy of excellence-driven debate.
Tournament Results
Novice:
Akhasa Young- Semifinalist
Katherine Anne Thierfelder- 2nd place, 4th place speaker
Junior Varsity:
David Sheilley- Quarterfinalist
Hattie Thomasson- Quarterfinalist
Merry Ashlyn Gatewood- Octafinalist, 2nd place speaker
Varsity:
Amily Huddleston: Quarterfinalist
Andie (Hannah) Anderson: 4th place speaker
Danielle Popson: Octafinalist, 2nd place speaker
Josh Johnson: Semifinalist, 3rd place speaker
Raelen VanDuzer: Semifinalist
Professional:
Ben Murray: Semifinalist
Steven Errico: 1st place, 3rd place speaker
