Debate Camp Draws Southland High School Students

Los Osos High School junior Noor Tabba argued enthusiastically that sexism is the reason women’s sports get less television coverage than men. Her opposition, two boys from other area high schools, periodically shook their heads and frantically scribbled notes.

“This is going to impact aspiring female athletes, especially young women,” she said.

But Vista Murrieta High School junior Mason Stackman responded that the motivation behind the discrepancy is not sexism.

“It’s about making money,” he said.

It was an exercise in parliamentary debate, a staple of the University of La Verne’s annual weeklong Debate Camp from July 17-24. The event invites high school students to work alongside the university’s debate team members and faculty.

Director of Forensics Robert Ruiz, who serves as adviser for the debate team, says no matter how intense the rounds get, it always ends with both teams shaking hands.

“We emphasize over and over again in parliamentary debate, you don’t get to choose a side. You’re given a side,” Ruiz said.

The camp serves as preparation for high school debaters, who take what they have learned from the camp and go on to be successful in competitions.

“We placed fifth in the state for high school in parliamentary debate because of this camp,” said Adam Pepper, a senior at Redlands High School. His debating partner in high school was Kaiden Ricksecker, a new member of University of La Verne’s debate team this year.

The camp has grown so popular that it has attracted siblings of former participants.

And there is another familial connection to the camp. Ruiz’s son, Jonathan, a Bonita High School senior, participated in this year’s camp.

“It’s a benefit to be taught by University of La Verne debaters, who are considered among the best in the world,” he said.

The youngest student this year was a seventh-grade girl, who was invited to participate because of her advanced debating skills.

Current and former University of La Verne debaters say the camp is just as enriching for them, because they witness the transformation of high school students.

Joanna Mrsich ’18, a political science and communications major, serves as a coach but says she also learns from the students.

“It brings me back to the basics of debate and reminds me that simplicity in format is key,” she said.