The Great Debate: The Art of Formal Arguments | Events

Polk County, Florida-- 31st President of the United States Herbert Clark Hoover once said, “Honest differences of views and honest debate are not disunity. They are the vital process of policy making among free men.” Students on the Tenoroc High School (THS) Debate Team and George Jenkins High School (GJHS) Debate Team used the art of formal argument to stand their ground in a Great Debate on Thursday, May 3 in a Bartow courtroom.

The event was held in recognition of Law Week, a week in which lawyers, judges and law enforcement officers in Florida work with teachers and community leaders to shine the spotlight on the role of laws in our lives and the importance of constitutional freedoms.

10th Judicial Circuit Court Judge Wayne Durden and other distinguished legal professionals presided over the debate centered on the question: Should advertisement directed at children be limited and/or banned?

GJHS students argued in support of limiting or banning advertising. Much of their argument was centered on the negative impact advertising can have on a child’s psych. They provided statistics on higher cases of adult illnesses such as bulimia.

THS students argued for leaving advertising as it is. They citied limiting advertising is against the first Amendment, which includes the protection of freedom of speech. They also argued parental responsibility is of greater priority when it comes to the type of information children are exposed to. 

The victory went to the THS Debate Team. THS sponsor Dwayne Johnson helped the team prepare for the debate. Of this victory he says, “I am so proud of them. I couldn’t be happier. They did such a great job. So did the George Jenkins team.”

Although the GJHS Debate Team’s argument did not prevail in the end, GJHS Sponsor Tina Balentine and the GJHS students were good sports and made sure to congratulate the winning team.

After the competition, the judge along with the other legal professionals offered each team separate positive feedback sessions.

Of their experience, team members stated they were looking forward to next year and possibly doing more events throughout the 2012-2013 academic school year.