On Thursday, March 2nd the Albert Gallatin Debate Team captained by Gianna Valenti and Riley Armstrong hosted their yearly debate match held here at AGHS. This event included debate participants from the following school districts: Waynesburg, Carmichaels, Uniontown, Belle Vernon, Jefferson Morgan, and Mapletown. The exciting event began with welcoming the visiting school districts to AGHS with an assortment of breakfast foods provided by our wonderful cafeteria staff. Then, the debate students spent time in our library where they split off into their debate teams and researched their given topic. The topics chosen for the debate by the debate team are as follows: beauty pageants should be banned (#1), paper and coin money should be abandoned (#2), and the death penalty should be federally abolished (#3). Junior Captain Riley Armstrong was chosen to handle audience questions that would be asked during the debate. Sophomore Brad Gibbs was chosen to handle the time-keeping for all three of the debate matches. The debate team also enlisted the help of the following students that helped to make the event an absolute success: Alex Arshen and Trysten Adams. Senior captain Gianna Valenti was chosen to serve as moderator for all three of the debate matches. Senior Seth Springsteen was in charge of managing the setup and sound. AGTV’s Kadie Conway was also in attendance and recording the debate. Mrs. Taylor and the debate team extend their appreciation and thankfulness for all who helped to make the event such an astounding success. 

After the debate teams spent time researching in the library, they were then escorted to the auditorium to begin the debate matches. The first topic, beauty pageants should be banned, was debated first with the pro side coming out victorious and winning both the popular and coaches vote. The second topic, paper and coin money should be abandoned, was debated next with the pro side winning the popular vote but the con side winning the debate due to the coaches vote. Last but certainly not least, the third topic, the death penalty should be federally abolished, was debated with the pro side seeing victory and winning both the popular and coaches vote. Mrs. Taylor was proud of her team’s performance in the debate.

Although this debate season is coming to an end, Mrs. Taylor and the debate team are actively seeking to add new members to their roster! Please reach out to Mrs. Taylor or junior captain, Riley Armstrong, if you are interested in being a part of the ‘23-’24 debate team!