Sophomores George Wangensteen and Karina Franke both hoped to represent their school well at the recent Harvard-Yale-Brown College Student Debate and High School Student Challenge. They far exceeded their expectations. George and Karina were recognized for being both top team and top speakers at the debate.

“This was our first extemporaneous debate, and I was kind of nervous we might get a topic that we didn’t know enough about. So I was really pleased it went well,” said Karina. Jackson Blossom, Upper School librarian coach of the Debate Team, added, “Karina Franke and George Wangensteen furthered our reputation, which was noted by members of the audience and other debate coaches.”

The November 1st debate, which took place at Blind Brook High School in Rye Brook, began with the university teams debating about whether it is necessary for schools to monitor their students’ online activity. Afterwards, the university debaters briefly coached the high school teams, which included students from Ardsley, Blind Brook, Horace Greeley, Rye Neck, and Yonkers, in preparation for their own competition. “Our coach was from Brown, and we thought she was one of the best debaters there, so she was a big help to us,” said Karina. The high school teams then participated in an extemporaneous debate, in which the topics being discussed are revealed only minutes before the start of the debate. Karina and George were asked to advocate against race-based security profiling at airports.

While it is nearly impossible to prepare for the topic of an extemporaneous debate, George and Karina spend time practicing for debates. “For the Harvard-Yale-Brown Debate, it helps to have stage and debate round experience. Karina and George had both of those, and it showed,” said Mr. Blossom. “Other than that, an awareness of current events and the news is important.”

George and Karina had to rely on their own ability and cooperation to be successful. “I think George and I are very good listeners, and we do a good job keeping our thoughts organized,” said Karina. “This makes us effective at rebutting the other team, as well as extending points that one of us initiated but didn’t fully develop.”

Mr. Blossom was very impressed with the two. “On stage, Karina and George are poised, warm, and inclusive, yet thorough and decisive, intellectually,” he said.

Mr. Blossom is excited about his plans to boost the popularity of the Hackley Upper School Debate team, which currently has close to 40 students on its roster. Interest in the club as increased with Hackley’s recent success, according to Mr. Blossom. “There’s nothing like a debate tournament and a debate round, win or lose, but winning helps,” he said.  He hopes to change the team from a club to a minor, which will allow the group to meet on a more regular basis, and hopes to hold next year’s annual Harvard-Yale-Brown College Student Debate and High School Student Challenge.

Although Hackley’s improving results on the interscholastic stage are important, Mr. Blossom is focused on the team as a whole. “We’re a class act, win or lose, and more and more people are coming to know that,” he said.