Most classes are during the day, but Debate counts as an extra class and is after school.

Senior Kiara Balleza has been on the Debate team since freshman year, which has changed Balleza’s life for the better.

“I listen to lectures from the captain, research my evidence so that I’m prepared for my next tournament, and I also sometimes see guest speakers who talk about certain topics about our plan,” said Balleza.

Debate is not just another class or a way to yell at other people for being wrong. It has many opportunities for students to travel and state their plan.

“I’ve traveled for debate camp and sometimes for state tournaments. So far I’ve been in Alabama, Georgia, and Kentucky,” said Balleza.

It also affects people personally, helping students learn how to speak and be conscious of what is going on in the world.

“It got me out of my comfort zone because, I was very shy, I did not like speaking a lot, but it made me more confident in what I was saying and it also made me more aware of our surroundings and what’s going on outside of the United States,” said Balleza.

According to Balleza, Debate has helped her gain more self-esteem and control what she feels.

“I’m very proud that I am in debate. Because if it wasn’t for debate, I probably wouldn’t have control of my nervousness, my shyness, my awkwardness, and I would always cancel out my own opinions about the world,” said Balleza.

The team has overall enhanced Balleza’s lifestyle and she is very proud of it.