Sophomore Mia Spruill holds her 3rd place medal outside of JMU.

The Princess Anne Debate Team showcased their progress this season at James Madison University (JMU) in Harrisonburg, competing in the VHSL Debate State Championships on April 26 and 27. Sophomore Mia Spruill placed third in Lincoln-Douglas debate after spending her weekend competing in several matches against other debaters from across Virginia.  

On March 23, the team competed at Debate Super-Regionals, hosted at First Colonial High School. The competition resulted in four PA students qualifying to compete at states: Spruill and sophomore Edwin Zheng for Lincoln-Douglas debate, and junior Reagan McGrath and senior Sam DiBelardino for Congressional Debate.

As the state competition approached, debaters reviewed their given topic and added edits to their required speeches. This year’s topic for the Lincoln-Douglas debate was described as both nuanced and relevant, with the resolution for the students to discuss: “the primary goal of the United States criminal justice system should be focused on rehabilitation.” Spruill describes her experience at states to be college-like and unique, and says that it was “something that you can’t get anywhere else.” Lincoln-Douglas debaters competed in two matches on Friday, slept overnight at JMU, and competed in the four remaining matches on Saturday before returning to Virginia Beach. Students were given the opportunity to explore campus, enjoy games, and choose from a variety of food options during their stay. At the end of the day on Saturday, Spruill explained she received her medal in complete shock and was congratulated by her supportive teammates. 

The Princess Anne Debate team has been competing for over 10 years. They compete in several Tidewater League competitions from October to the spring, and students are given the chance to compete at regional and super-regional competitions; this year, the PA team won overall for both competitions. There are several forms of debate students are welcome to try, such as Lincoln-Douglas (1 vs. 1 debate), Public Forum (2 vs. 2 debate), Policy (partners proposing a plan to enact a certain policy), and Congressional Debate (mock Congress). The team started the year with 16 members, and are always allowing new members to compete and practice their skills. During tournaments, students usually arrive at a local high school at 8 a.m. to compete in around six matches, or three Congressional Debate sessions, ending at 3 p.m., when results are announced and certificates are awarded to winners. Depending on the style of debate, each match looks different but essentially consists of a structured schedule for each team to present its case on the selected topic.

Although the team described debate as a fulfilling experience, many students struggle with the difficulties they face during tournaments. Spruill shares that the most tiring part of her time at JMU was the continuous speaking during the rounds of competition. However, she adds that even though debate is based on public speaking, “so much of it is the preparation of the speeches you write and the research you do.” 

Spruill suggests that PA students who are strong in their communication, research, or writing skills join the team in the upcoming seasons. She adds that debate includes a lot of improvisation and thinking on your feet, and it is something that anyone can succeed in if they have adequate practice. According to Zheng, the Princess Anne Debate members are eager to help newcomers and encourage any new participants next year. “The community is consistently supportive and I cherish the friends I have made along the way,” Zheng adds.