Students from various schools, including Bais Yaakov of Baltimore, gathered on Monday, March 18th, for a spirited evening of debate hosted by Kosloff Torah Academy in Philadelphia. The event brought together young debaters from different backgrounds to engage in thought-provoking discussions on the topic of whether teachers should be armed.
The competition, which commenced at 5:30 pm, saw participants from Ilan High School, Kohelet, and numer-ous other schools tackle the complex issue from different perspectives. Divided into teams of two, students navigated through two rounds of debates, addressing both the affirmative and negative sides of the argu-ment.
Before the event, attendees enjoyed a dinner, fostering a warm and convivial atmosphere for the evening’s proceedings.
In the policy debate category, Leah Davidson from Bais Yaakov’s debate team emerged as the second-place winner, impressing judges and peers alike with her articulate arguments and persuasive delivery.
In the extemporaneous category, three talented girls from Bais Yaakov’s debate team claimed victory: Cha-yala Frand, Zahava Schapiro, and Dassi Bondi. They demonstrated exceptional quick thinking and rhetorical prowess as they delivered compelling speeches on impromptu topics.
Special thanks were extended to the dedicated debate coach and teacher, Mrs. Leeba Steen, whose guid-ance and support contributed to the success of the Bais Yaakov debate team. Additionally, gratitude was ex-pressed to Mrs. Debbie Lowenstein, mother of Aviva Lowenstein, who volunteered to accompany the stu-dents to Philadelphia as their chaperone, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable experience for all.
As the evening drew to a close, participants left with a sense of accomplishment and camaraderie, having engaged in a spirited exchange of ideas and perspectives. The high school debate competition served as a testament to the power of discourse and intellectual engagement in shaping young minds and fostering a cul-ture of informed citizenship.
Bais Yaakov High School Debate Team: (Left to Right)
Nava Levine, Zahava Schapiro, Ashira Bilek, Aviva Lowenstein, Bryna Esther Weiner, Yael Poretsky, Ariella Friedman, Chayala Frand, Leah Davidson, Sharri Flamm, Dassi Bondi, Elisheva Tal, Avigail Milevsky, Nechama Leah Paige
