A record number of Michigan high school debate
team members participated in the
Mackinac Center for Public Policy’s 2007 High
School Debate Workshop essay contest.
The winning authors were announced in late
May, with each one receiving a $1,000 college scholarship. Students who attended
one of four workshops in the fall of 2007 were invited to write a commentary on
the 2007-2008 national debate topic: "Resolved: The United States federal
government should substantially increase its public health assistance to
sub-Saharan Africa."
The contest was highlighted by its first ever
two-time winner, senior Jessica Wilson from Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central.
Wilson, who plans to attend Denison University in Ohio and study medicine, also
won as a junior with an essay on the 2006 topic, mandatory public service.
Wilson said she recommends debate for all high
school students, regardless of what career path they plan to pursue.
"It teaches you to think things out and
organize your thoughts," she said.
Nikhil Chivali, a sophomore at Saginaw
Heritage High School, was that school’s second consecutive winner. His
post-graduation plans include attending the Massachusetts Institute of
Technology.
Nathan Kemper, a junior at Lenawee Christian
School, wrote that microfinancing would be a more effective way to assist
sub-Saharan Africa than federal aid.
All three students focused on the need to
increase free trade in order to improve the public health and overall economic
well-being of the region.
About 450 students from 30 Michigan high
schools attended the 2007 workshops in Livonia, Adrian, Grand Rapids and
Traverse City. Some 9,000 high school debaters have honed their skills over the
20 years the Center has been holding workshops.
The Mackinac Center publishes Michigan
Education Report.
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