Local debaters to go online
Princeton, Texas,
(October 11, 2007) —
By Jennifer Miller, Princeton Herald Staff
A national public debate on global carbon emissions – and whether its an issue to be handled by the marketplace or the government – is coming to Princeton.
Though dignitaries and community members are invited, it’s not a debate being conducted by any elected officials, local organizations or state political parties. Instead, the community is invited to watch these arguments articulated by students on the Princeton High School debate team.
Princeton High School will host the debate as part of The People Speak Global Debate Series, administrated through the United Nations Foundation.
The TPS challenges high school students from around the world to think critically and address current global topics.
This year’s debates will take place from Oct. 12 through 22.
Princeton’s live debate will be held before an audience, at 9 a.m. Monday, Oct. 22, and will also be broadcast over the Internet, a first-ever attempt for the TPS program.
Princeton students will debate live via the Internet with forensics and debate students in Casseville, Mo.
They will watch their opponents through video monitors, while audience members will watch the Casseville opponents on the screen on the stage behind the Princeton students.
Following the debates, fellow students in the audience will vote to decide the winner.
The winner will be eligible to compete for an all-expense paid trip to the UN Foundation Leadership Summit to be held at the UN headquarters in New York City in July 2008.
Students there will have the opportunity to debate the issues before the General Assembly.
The public is invited and encouraged to attend the debate, said forensics teacher Jimmy Smith.
The debate will include three four-minute arguments by each side, each followed by a three-minute cross-examination. The debate will end with a one-minute summation from each party.
“We’re taking the position that if you build it, and it’s efficient, and affordable, people will buy it, Smith said.
“Chevrolet is going to be test-marketing a hydrogen operating car that gets 100 miles to a gallon of water. If it sells, it will have no emission problems That’s not the government saying you have to do it.”
Student Tyler Lawson is researching green Wal-Marts, as well as European marketing mechanisms in preparation for Sunday, when Smith will decide on four out of six students to be a part of the debate.
The six students also include Patty Sayen, Nicole Zuelly, Katie Carl and Jessica Salas.
“It may cost more money to build (green buildings), but it saves you money, because they are using 75 percent less energy,” Lawson said.
On the other side of the argument will be students in Casseville, arguing in favor of government regulation being the driving force of controlling global emissions.
“The students are taking the unique opportunity to connect with their peers worldwide and to share different perspectives and creative arguments about current hot topics,” said Victoria Baxter, executive director of TPS.
“Through these debates, students are able to become actively involved and engaged in the global issues that will shape their future.”
(Reprint courtesy of The Princeton Herald, Princeton Texas)
