Why+Debate?

"Debate is hard work, but most of all it is fun." Tournament travel offers MBA students the chance to meet and interact with students from other schools all over the country. Learning how to handle problems as they occur offers students valuable life lessons that they enjoy. Seniors usually develop close friendships with students outside of their daily school environment, and many of those friendships last a lifetime. The competitive challenges and close cooperation with teammates keep our students excited and active. "The best part of the debate experience is that you are having so much fun, you forget how much you're learning." "Debate offers opportunities for students of all interest and experience levels." There are a number of opportunities to compete in forensics whether you wish a limited or intensive experience. Our inclusive program compliments the broad-based curriculum and student body of Montgomery Bell Academy. Our team has made the commitment to compete at the highest levels on the nation's interscholastic competitive circuit. This commitment pits teams from MBA against the nation's best independent, public, and parochial schools on a regular basis. Some students want to pursue these national opportunities while others will thrive in regional and area competitions commensurate with their personal interests and abilities. The MBA debate team has attained the enviable reputation of a consistently competitive program nationally. Preserving and expanding this incredible reputation depends upon the continued participation of bright, dedicated, and hardworking students whose efforts form the foundation of our team. Every participant in the program will compete. Many tournaments offer multiple entries to each school. Yet, even when this is not the case, the coaching staff often divides the travel to enter students at tournaments across the nation on the same weekend. No hard workers are left behind. Debate and Forensics students develop important leadership skills as they prepare for competitions. These are the very skills that most business analysts predict will be irreplaceable in the 21st century marketplace. Debate and Forensic competitions are open to any MBA student who wishes to participate. The minimum required level of participation is attendance at two tournaments (one each semester), although most students have so much fun that they choose to attend many more tournaments than the minimum. Students must maintain satisfactory academic standing in their classes and secure the permission of parents before agreeing to participate in a competition. All students are expected to make mature arrangements with their teachers regarding completion of work missed during excused travel absences, and all school rules apply during out of town trips. We have room for participants with widely varying levels of interest, and the coaches strive to work closely with each student in selecting the best travel schedule for achieving his personal goals in the program.
 * ||  || **DEBATE IS FUN!!!**
 * PROGRAM PHILOSOPHY**
 * Debate Builds Tomorrow's Leaders**
 * Research
 * Analysis
 * Listening
 * Communication
 * Cooperative Problem Solving
 * Self-Confidence
 * Creativity
 * Individual Initiative
 * Focus and Discipline**Who Debates at MBA?**

If you are interested in learning more about debate at MBA, please contact Alan Coverstone ||
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