RHS Debate Team Sends Two to NFL Nationals

Two members of the  debate team have qualified for the Lincoln Financial Group/National Forensic League National Speech and Debate Tournament and will attend the competition in Indianapolis mid-June. 

The team competed this past Saturday in the Southern Minnesota National Forensic League District Tournament; Ryan Kirkley and Matt Stefanko defeated teams from Eden Prairie, Eagan, Edina and The Blake School to qualify for Nationals.

In addition, the debate team sent five students to the MSHSL State Debate Tournament last weekend.

Lisa Beard, Matt Stefanko, Wesley Just, Ryan Kirkley and Devin Awe all qualified for and competed in the tournament.

“Qualifying for state is an achievement,” said Cort Sylvester, coach of the RHS debate team. "We (had) a strong chance of qualifying at least one policy team."

Sylvester’s confidence is not unwarranted. The team has a history of success that spans decades. RHS debate has qualified members for state in 16 of the last 20 years and won the state championship in the policy debate category in 2006. They have qualified for nationals in policy debate five times and placed 6th nationally in 2003.

But success doesn’t come without commitment. The majority of RHS varsity competitors attend summer camp for debate. During the season, the team travels all over the country. So far this year, they have attended tournaments in North Carolina, Iowa and Illinois. They will travel to California in February and hope to qualify for the University of Kentucky Tournament of Champions as well.

For some competitors, the rewards for their hours of dedication are even greater than a trophy or the ability to compete at the national tournament. In the past, RHS students have been recruited at tournaments to debate at the college level.

And whether they’re recruited or not, debate students gain a wide range of skills that will help them succeed once they set foot on campus.

“I can’t say enough about what debate does for the students,” said Sylvester.

According to Sylvester, participating in debate teaches the students verbal presentation, research and critical thinking.

And, apparently, diplomacy.

“I’ve learned to get along with a lot of different types of people,” said Lisa Beard, a state qualifier and RHS senior. “I think that’s something that’s pretty important.”