The Bright Future of Debate

     The Arizona Immigration law (SB1070), is a very controversial topic, and is subject to some debate. Topics such as this come up in everyday situations quite often. Some students enjoy debating, and for this demographic, the Woods Cross Debate Team gives a great opportunity to further understanding the world around them. The real challenge is when students are faced with competition in more advanced divisions.

     Last year, the Debate Team performed well enough to advance to a higher division. Many students are concerned about this new division, and what challenges it will bring. Mrs. Gregg, the administrator in charge of debate expressed how this year’s young talent has great potential, “I am impressed with the strength of the sophomores and juniors this year”.

     In debate you must work not as individuals, but as a team of intelligent minds. The team goes through many challenges that help strengthen them. I spoke to a senior by the name of Matt Perkins, and he said, “The team has recently gone through disciplinary reforms which make it easier for students to feel comfortable and more freely express themselves”. The Debate Team here at Woods Cross is in for a very bright future.

A Wildcat Victory- The Academic Olympiads

     It’s quiet, and everyone is focused.  Everyone is focused on a question on a screen at the front of the room, asking who the 2010 Nobel Prize winner was for the development of in vitro fertilization.  One student from the 26 schools of northern Utah are scribbling down the answer and handing it to a proctor.  The answer comes up on the screen: Robert G. Edwards.  As the proctors change the scores, some schools rejoice and others scowl.  This is the Academic Olympiad.

     Nine students from each school in the northern Utah area participated in the event at Utah State University on November 17, 2010.  Woods Cross participants were Tessa Sommers, Melissa Martinez, Jordan Haws, Sarah Bennett, Tanner Johnston, Jason King, Thomas Hill, Andrew Andreason, and Jessica Nielsen.  During the morning hours, students took four 40 minute quizzes on mathematics, social studies, science, and language arts.  In the afternoon, they participated in an event called “Star Wars.”  In this event, each student from each school was asked 5 questions ranging from math problems to current events.  In the end, our Wildcats took 4^th overall, with a 3^rd place finish in the Mathematics and Language Arts test sections.

 

 

 

Photo By Chris Hall