An unusual sight appeared Saturday-high school students wearing business clothing were sitting on couches and talking about the benefits of medicinal marijuana in The Colvard Student Union.
But nothing illicit was happening. The students were a few of over 150 participants in the 10th annual John C. Stennis Novice Speech and Debate Tournament. The Stennis Center for Public Service sponsored the tournament.
Billy Tate, president of the National Forensics League, of which the Stennis Center is sole sponsor, said speech and debate tournaments are part of fulfilling the center’s mission.
“Students who are active in debate are much more likely to pursue careers in public service,” Tate said. “By coming to a debate tournament, we hope it lights a fire for public service in young people.”
Students from four states-Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee and Louisiana-began competition early Friday afternoon. Competition ended late Saturday afternoon.
The tournament was unusual because it was aimed at beginner debate participants. Older high school students and MSU students judged the competition.
Tournament coordinator Betty Whitlock said another aim of the program was to build speech and debate teams in east and north Mississippi.
“This area of the state doesn’t have much competition,” Whitlock said.
Part of the tournament was a mock session of Congress, where seven bills, one dealing with medicinal marijuana, would be debated.
Smith Lilley, an MSU senior, completed his fourth year as parliamentarian for the mock Congress. He has participated in the tournament since high school.
“My job is to teach the new debaters about model Congress,” Lilley said. “It’s a complicated event, but I love to see them leave and say, ‘That makes sense.'”
Bringing many high school students to campus is a boon for recruiting future Bulldogs, Tate said. “Students have a positive experience with the tournament and the university,” he said.
Julie Shows, a senior for Laurel High School, was one of the student judges. Shows is considering Mississippi College and MSU. “If MSU gives me some money, I’ll consider coming,” she said.
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Stennis Center hosts debate tournament
Wilson Boyd / The Reflector
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September 22, 2003
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