One Saturday each month, more than 200 policy debaters gather at a middle school in Atlanta for spirited competition in the rapidly growing Georgia Middle School Debate League.The league is sponsored by Emory University and the Atlanta Urban Debate League. The middle school league began in the mid-1990s in an effort to involve the middle school students from Atlanta Public Schools in debate. Soon, private schools began to compete, including Westminster, Pace and Stratford Academy. Suburban schools began petitioning to be in the league, and now schools from around the state enter the competitions.
Tournaments are limited to four power-matched prelim rounds, judged by Emory University debaters and volunteers from local high schools. Debaters may enter novice, junior varsity or varsity divisions. Debaters use the NFL High School Resolution, and this year they are limited to the evidence and cases in the Georgia Forensic Coaches Association novice packet – Affirmative teams run cases dealing with Sudan, India/Pakistan or Rapid Reaction Force. Negative teams are limited to disadvantages concerning politics, overstretch, or hegemony. Counterplans and kritiks are not allowed. Times are slightly shortened to a 5-2-3 format.
Emory’s Kara Grant, who is the Co-Director of the Atlanta Urban Debate League, explains: “I am still receiving at least one call monthly from teachers and administrators interested in adding debate programs in their schools. Apparently, word is spreading throughout Georgia about what an influential educational experience debate can be for middle school-aged students. I am thrilled that this league provides a forum where students from varied socioeconomic backgrounds can come together on a level intellectual playing field and truly communicate with one another—a rare opportunity in our society.”
Melissa Maxcy Wade, the Director of Forensics at Emory University and the Executive Director of the Atlanta Urban Debate League, attends many of the tournaments and helps award engraved medals to the top teams and speakers.
Varsity winners this year have included Inman Middle School, Westminster, High Meadows, and Calhoun, who is the winner of the last two State competitions. The State competition, named after philanthropist and debate supporter J.B. Fuqua, will be held at Pace Academy on April 2.
