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 Monday activity period meetings in Ms. Cluff's Room 203 as well as occasional evening and weekend training sessions.

January 7th, 2012:  Hanover High wins the Colchester Debate Tournament!

Hanover brought three teams and did a great job at the Colchester Debate Tournament.  The team of Katherine and Annelise won the tournament with the 1st place team award.  The team of John and Simone won the 2nd place team award.  John won the 1st place speaker award and Katherine and Annelise both won the 3rd place speaker award with a tie.  Congratulations also to our novice team of Jack and Sera for achieving a winning record at the tournament.  The topic of the tournament was "Resolved: The costs of a college education outweigh the benefits."

December 10th, 2011:  Hanover High wins the Montpelier Debate Tournament!

Hanover brought three teams and did a superb job at the Montpelier Debate Tournament.  The team of Katherine and Melanie won the tournament with the 1st place team award.  Melanie won the 2nd place speaker award and Katherine the 3rd place award.  Congratulations also to our two novice teams of Austin / Justin and Jack / Sera for achieving winning records at the tournament.  The topic of the tournament was "Resolved: In the United States, current income disparities threaten democratic ideals."

November 19th, 2011:  Hanover High hosts its second annual Hanover Debate Tournament!

Hanover High's second annual Hanover Debate Tournament was a big success!  Twenty-six teams from eight VDFL schools participated in the Hanover event.  The topic of the tournament was "Resolved: Direct popular vote should replace electoral vote in presidential elections."

The hard work of the Hanover debaters was recognized with outstanding results.  The team of Simone and John won the tournament with the 1st place team award and the team of Katherine and Annelise won the 3rd place team award.  John won the 1st place speaker award and Annelise the 4th place award.  Congratulations also to our novice team of Austin and Justin for another winning record.

A big thanks for the great support and encouragement from Hanover High School and its administrators, teachers and support staff.  The Hanover community also contributed in so many ways with unrestrained enthusiasm and generosity.  Volunteer citizen judges from across the Upper Valley gathered to make the event possible.  A huge thank you to ILEAD, the Institute for Lifelong Learning at Dartmouth (www.dartmouth.edu/~ilead/), for helping to find and recruit wonderful judges for the event.

Civic-minded local businesses and organizations generously donated food and supplies to the tournament.  Many thanks to Willing Hands (www.willinghandsinc.org), Lou's (www.lousrestaurant.net), the Co-op (www.coopfoodstore.coop), Dunkin’ Donuts (www.dunkindonuts.com) and the Bakers Studio in White River Junction.

Special thanks to Simone and John for serving as Co-Coordinators of the Home Tournament, and Suzanne who helped in so many ways large and small.  Thanks to Club tournament volunteers Jack, Sera, Lizzie and Hansol, and also everyone who helped contribute food.  It was a huge job hosting 90 people from across the Upper Valley and Vermont (52 debaters, 15 judges, 10 coaches, 13 observers), and we received many compliments on a very well-run tournament.  Hanover High principal Deb Gillespie came to watch a debate round and offered her congratulations.

November 12th, 2011:  Terrific showing at the Hartford Debate Tournament!

Hanover brought three teams and did an excellent job at the Hartford Debate Tournament.  The team of Katherine and Annelise were the top scoring team at the tournament (*).  Katherine won the 1st place speaker award and John the 3rd place award.  The team of Austin and Justin won the best novice team award. Congratulations to all the teams for their hard work and preparation!  The topic of the tournament was "Resolved: Direct popular vote should replace electoral vote in presidential elections."

(*) The Hartford Tournament Director and VDFL President of Debate confirmed that the team of Katherine and Annelise were initially incorrectly awarded the 2nd place team award due to a math error and actually earned the 1st place team award.

October, 2011:  Hanover High begins its third year of Public Forum Debate

Welcome back!  We are excited to begin our third year of Public Forum Debate.  The first tournament of the season will be at Hartford High School and the second one at Hanover High School.  Both of these tournaments are in November and will use the topic: "Resolved: Direct popular vote should replace electoral vote in presidential elections."