The Ingraham Debate Team finished out a fantastic season on Saturday at the Washington State Tournament. Ingraham qualified two teams, Liam Donnelly and Rebecca Phare, and Jamie Keene and Oakley Shelton-Thomas, despite starting its team just a few short months ago in September 2009. Donnelly and Phare, two freshmen, won three out of six debates, defeating a team from Mercer Island, while Keene and Shelton-Thomas, a sophomore and freshman, won two debates. One of Mercer Island's teams placed in the semi-finals and the second won the Washington State Tournament. Two other Ingraham team members, Aidan "Atreyu" Farr and Lauren Berry Kagan, attended the Washington State Tournament to watch debates and cheer on their teammates.

Coach Robby White, a Comparative History of Ideas major at the University of Washington, has been an excellent coach and leader for the team. He competed in policy debate for two years in college, where he learned many of the skills that allowed him to become such as successful high school coach. The WDC placed Robby with Ingraham because of his depth of debate knowledge, familiarity with the Washington debate community, and extraordinary ability to connect with his students. He continues to be one of the best young coaches and judges on the Washington debate circuit.

Ingraham had a number of other notable successes this year. Donnelly and Shelton-Thomas placed 3rd at their first tournament in high school debate, the novice division of Tahoma High School's Golden Bear Classic. Donnelly was also 3rd Speaker. Donnelly and Shelton-Thomas won the novice division of the Auburn High School Tournament, beating out the established teams of Arlington High School, Holy Names, and South Eugene High School. Donnelly was once again 3rd Speaker. Ingraham went on to close out the Finals of the junior division of the University of Puget Sound Debate Tournament, with all four debaters placing in the top ten speakers.

Despite only being in their first year of competition, Shelton-Thomas and Keene were semi-finalists, out of 22 teams, in the open division at Mt. Vernon High School. Both Ingraham teams placed in the top four, out of 47 teams, including juniors and seniors, at the Pacific Lutheran University Tournament. Keene was 2nd Speaker, Donnelly was 4th Speaker, and Phare was 6th Speaker.

For a complete list of Ingraham's achievements, regular updates, and a team roster, check out the team's Facebook page.

The WDC could not be more proud of its flagship program. We look forward to reporting next year's successes. Congratulations to the Ingraham Debate Team and Robby!

Challenge your coaches, family, and friends!

The WDC Spring Fling Mini-Debate Tournament gives you the opportunity to debate your coaches, parents, siblings, and friends! Enter your own team and encourage your rivals to enter. Email the WDC on or before April 30, 2010 at info@washingtondebate.org and we'll make sure you get to duel it out against requested teams (a maximum of two challenge requests per team will be honored).

Current entries

Update 2010-04-19: You can now donate to support your favorite teams!

The following coaches, students, parents, and former debaters are tentatively entered in the WDC Spring Fling Mini-Tournament:

• Sean Harris (Holy Names)
• Robby White (Ingraham)
• Charlie Potter (Mt. Vernon)
• Chad Rigsby (St. George's School)
• John Julian (Newport High School)
• Jeff Gans (Mercer Island)
• Jeff Kingshott (Bainbridge Island)
• Ruby Blum (Holy Names)
• Sarah Sherry (Puyallup)
• Jane McCoy (Mercer Island)
• Chris McCool (Mercer Island)
• Chris Coovert (Gig Harbor)
• Roger Copenhaver (Puyallup/Idaho State)
• Luke Dolge (Puyallup)
• Dakota Alcantara-Camacho (Mercer Island/Wisconsin)
• Aly Hoover (Bellingham, Sehome & Squalicum)
• Matt Rice (University of Michigan)
• Tony Johnson (Idaho State University)
• Brent Hamilton (Mead/Gonzaga University)
• Karina Momary (Gonzaga University)
• Lynette Douglass (Ballard High School)
• Elizabeth Tatum (Ballard High School)

Other tentative attendees who have not committed to debate (but could and should be persuaded) include Glen Frappier, John Sullivan, Erik Cornellier, Derek Buescher, Steve Pointer, Zach Tschida, and many more!

Entries are open until May 5, 2010 so you still have time to persuade your coaches, family, friends, and rivals to enter the mini-tournament.

Stay tuned for photos, biographies, and pledge instructions!

On May 14-15, 2010, the WDC will be hosting its first annual Spring Fling!

This annual event will bring together current and former debaters and supporters of Washington debate to reminisce, participate in debates, and support the WDC. Events will be held in and around Seattle. Our schedule is as follows:

Friday, May 14

Meet and Greet @ Hotel Deca

The Friday night Meet and Greet will occur at the District Lounge, located in the Hotel Deca, on 45th and Brooklyn in the U. District, from 6pm - 10pm. Hang out, socialize, and enjoy drinks, food, and jazz.

RSVP here.

Saturday, May 15

Open Entry Mini-Debate Tournament

Pledge your favorite team!

Location

The mini-tournament will occur at the Communication Building at the University of Washington. Parking is available on campus for $15 or around the U. District for significantly less money (but a bit more exercise).

The Awards Banquet and After Party will be held at kai's bistro and lounge on 43rd between University Ave. and Brooklyn. kai's bistro and lounge is within walking distance of the Communication Building. 10% of all food and drink proceeds will go to the WDC.

Schedule

Registration will occur from 12:30-1:00pm.* Rounds will occur as follows:

1:00-2:15 Round 1

2:15-3:30 Round 2

3:30-4:45 Round 3

4:45-6:00 Round 4

6:00-7:15 Round 5

7:30-9:30 Awards Banquet

9:30 After Party (21 and over only)

Format:

Debates will occur in a shortened policy debate format (6-3-4) with two debaters per team.

The topic for the first three debates will be:

Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially reduce its military and/or police presence in one or more of the following: South Korea, Japan, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Iraq, Turkey.

An evidence packet pertaining to that resolution will be released no later than May 8, 2010.

The topics for the remaining two debates, one on a current event and one on a pop culture topic, will be released with the evidence packet. The evidence packet will also provide a brief overview of debate.

Decisions will be made by a combination of judge vote and audience vote (by applause). Bring your personality, bring your persuasion skills, and win the audience over!

Whether you are debating or just watching, please RSVP here.

Fees and Suggested Donations

There are no entry fees for the tournament but all teams are requested to provide at least $100 in pledges.

Suggested donations for attendees are $15 for students and $25 for supporters. Donations can be made at the event or online at http://www.washingtondebate.org/donate.html.

Our goal for the weekend is 100 attendees so encourage all of your coaches, friends, and family to come out. We hope this event will grow into an annual tradition, drawing supporters of Washington debate from across the country. We promise a weekend of fun and festivities and we hope you'll all help us make this event a success!

Even if you can't make it out to Seattle, please consider pledging your favorite team at http://www.washingtondebate.org/2010-spring-fling-teams.html or donating to the WDC at http://www.washingtondebate.org/donate.html. Your support will go to WDC programming and Washington debate.

Information is available at or by contacting anjali@washingtondebate.org.