How is it possible to be an award-winning team at Manual and go largely unnoticed? Everyone knows football, basketball, volleyball, and tennis. However, not too many students, staff or faculty know we have a debate team. Last academic year, 2022-2023, Mr. Capers, an English teacher, established a debate team at Manual Arts High School. There had been a team some years ago but it went dormant when the advisor left Manual. In Capers’ speech class in 2021-2022, his students watched the film The Great Debaters starring Denzel Washington. A student, Amia Molette, asked, “Can we do that?” So, Capers looked into it and discovered the Los Angeles Metropolitan Debate League (LAMDL) and that Manual Arts used to be a part of the league. Since last year Manual has gone on to win against many schools including New Design, Lake Balboa, San Pedro, Compton, Washington Prep and Southgate.
Debate tournaments are monthly. Manual this year has been involved in two tournaments and will compete at the end of this month at University of Southern California. Fernando Quijada, a soon to be graduate, said, “you’re challenged to have a deeper understanding of what’s going on in the world and to understand both sides of an argument.” Keyla Featherstone, a seasoned debater and future captain of the debate team, a sophomore, said, “I love debate because I meet kids from all over the city at different tournaments and we have friendly but serious competition. Everyone takes it seriously.” A champion debater and senior who is in his second year of debating, Kain Marin said, “Debate is a wonderful opportunity to broaden your understanding of what goes on politically as well as gives me the ability to develop and sharpen my critical thinking skills.
Debaters are not all loud and boisterous. They can be quiet and shy, like Luz Avendano who has a Sasha Fierce persona when she debates. “When I debate about a topic I’m passionate, I go full out to get my point across and my view on the subject.”
Debaters win speaker points as well as awards for beating other schools. Capers says, “Unlike other sports and cheer, no physical is needed to do debate. It’s easy to join. Just come see me in Room 182. The main thing is being interested in trying something new and pushing yourself. Manual Arts does policy debate which helps kids with other classes. Champion debaters often get scholarships to go to college. According to Mr. Capers, “Because debate is year-round, it’s not too late to sign up. There are three more tournaments after February so there’s time.”
Azul Mendoza says, “I like debate because it’s always different because the rounds change and you learn every time. Even when I lose, I learn from it and I’m determined to never lose like that again.” And this works apparently because Mendoza is known as “the crusher” because she thinks fast on her feet and cold-bloodedly stomps on the opposition, mostly winning her rounds.
The debate team shows that Manual Arts students can compete on the biggest stage and win.
