by Frank Schroth

The Milton High School Debate Team is developing a reputation as a tough competitor on a national level. Two members of the team, Chris Dsida and Jack Caljouw, went as far as the quarter finals in the recent Lexington Winter Invitational. The tournament, known informally as Big Lex and one of the largest in the country, draws hundreds of debaters from as far as Florida and is a qualifier for the National Tournament of Champions.

The tournament  was held 1/18 – 1/21 in Lexington, Massachusetts. Students debated the resolution:  “Resolved, Development assistance should be prioritized over military aid in the Sahel region of Africa.” (If you, like me, are wondering where that is, it’s here.)

MHS Seniors Chris Dsida and Jack Caljouw  debated their way into the final eight teams, ultimately being eliminated in the quarter finals.  No MHS team has ever advance this far into a national tournament. Chris Dsida also placed second in the individual speaker competition.

During debate rounds, judges assign points to individual debaters, based on their fluency, knowledge, and quick thinking.  At the end of the preliminary rounds, Chris Dsida had accumulated the second highest point total. Because the Big Lex is a qualifier for National Tournament of Champions, held annually at the University of Kentucky in Lexington, Kentucky, Chris and Jack are our first MHS debaters to  earn a bid to attend this prestigous tournament.  They will need two bids to compete in Kentucky. They will attempt to earn that second bid at a competition this February to be held at Harvard.

Good luck all!