By preparing for and engaging in debate tournaments, Debate Club members will learn how to: (i) work well with others and develop teamwork; (ii) research and analyze complex issues; (iii) organize contentions into persuasive cases; (iv) defend a position using logic and evidence; (v) engage in articulate and educated discourse with maturity and professional decorum; (vi) think on their feet; and (vii) learn about important, timely issues facing our communities and our world.  There is no experience in debate or speech required, however, dedication, hard work, perseverance and a great attitude are key assets for any successful debater.

Although there are a limited number of team slots available at each VDFL tournament, all students are welcome to participate in our Friday activity period meetings in Ms. Cluff's Room 203 as well as occasional evening and weekend training sessions.

March 19th-20th, 2010:  Hanover High wins prestigious bid to compete in the National Tournament in Kansas City!

Three teams from Hanover participated in the two-day National Forensic League Iroquois District Tournament.  Teams which had qualified to participate in this tournament came from across our "Iroquois" region of the country, including representatives from four states.  In a double-elimination format, they competed to win two coveted team "bids" to represent the region and qualify for the National Tournament ("Nationals") to be held this June in Kansas City.

All the teams put in a huge effort at preparation and achieved great results.  The team of Katherine and Annelise debated all six rounds and won one of the two bids to compete at Nationals.  They were also each recognized as Arthur N. Rupe Foundation Scholars by the National Forensic League and the Arthur N. Rupe Foundation.  The team of John and Simone also debated through all six rounds and was named the alternate team to the two bid-winning teams.  The team of Atthar and Amanda debated four rounds (reaching second-day rounds) and achieved a top seven finish.  The topic of the tournament was “Resolved: Affirmative action to promote equal opportunity in the United States is justified.”

Congratulations to everyone for all their hard work and dedication which made it an amazing inaugural year of debate at Hanover!  Good luck to Katherine and Annelise at Nationals!

Click here for the Valley News article regarding the upcoming National Tournament.

February 8th, 2010:  Hanover High wins multiple awards at the State Tournament Championship!

Hanover brought 3 teams and did an excellent job in the final rounds of the State Tournament Championship held at the Vermont State House in Montpelier.  The strong work ethic and excellent preparation of the teams shone through in each debate.  The team of Katherine and Annelise advanced to the final championship round.  In the tournament, they won the 2nd place overall team award and 1st place novice team award.  Congratulations also to Katherine for winning the 1st place speaker award in the tournament and John who won the 4th place speaker award.  Click here for the WCAX-TV Channel 3 news story and two minute video segment which aired tonight and covered the final championship round.  The topic of the debate was “Resolved: In the United States, organized political lobbying does more harm than good.”

February 5th, 2010:  Hard work pays off at State Tournament Qualifiers

Hanover brought 3 teams and did a fantastic job at the State Tournament Qualifiers held at U-32 High School in Montpelier.  All 3 teams did very well in the elimination rounds and earned a spot in the top tier of 16 teams that will participate in the final rounds of the State Tournament on February 8th.  Congratulations and good luck to all the debaters!  The topic of the debate was “Resolved: In the United States, organized political lobbying does more harm than good.”

January 23rd, 2010:  Another great effort at the Woodstock Debate Tournament

Hanover brought 4 teams and made a fine showing at the Woodstock debate tournament (even though it was right after midterm exam week).  Congratulations to Amanda on winning the 5th place speaker award.  The topic of the debate was “Resolved: President Obama's plan for increasing troops in Afghanistan is in the United States' best interest.”

January 9th, 2010:  Great job at the Colchester Debate Tournament!

Excellent work and preparation by all the Hanover teams resulted in a terrific showing.  Hanover A (Katherine and Annelise) won the tournament with the 1st place team award.  Annelise won the 2nd place speaker award, and Amanda won the 3rd place speaker award.  The topic of the debate was "Resolved: That merit pay based on student achievement should be a significant component of K-12 teacher compensation in United States public schools."  Congratulations!

December 12th, 2009: Strong showing at Montpelier High School Debate

Hanover brought 3 teams to debate the merit pay topic, and we won 6 out of 9 rounds.  Good work!

December 5th, 2009:  Hanover High wins its first debate medal at South Burlington High School Debate

Congratulations to Katherine on winning the 1st place speaker award!  Hanover brought 4 teams to this event, and we won 7 out of 12 rounds.  The topic of the debate was "Resolved: That merit pay based on student achievement should be a significant component of K-12 teacher compensation in United States public schools." 

November 14th, 2009: Hanover High participates in its first debate tournament

Our inaugural debate season is off to a terrific start.  Hanover brought three teams to Hartford High School to debate the topic "Resolved: The United Nations should prioritize global poverty reduction over environmental protection."  Hanover A (Amanda and Katherine) went undefeated and came in 4th place in the tournament (out of 27 teams).  Overall, we won 7 out of 9 rounds, and all our teams received very positive and supportive feedback from the judges.  Great job everyone!