The Ames High Debate team has been around for decades, training students in argumentation, public speaking, and in-depth research. Over the years, generations of students have participated in the club, many of whom have gone on to pursue careers in law, politics, education, and other related fields. But as the 2024-2025 school year comes to a close, the future of the club hangs in unprecedented uncertainty.
Mrs. Deam, who has served as both the coach and advisor of Ames High Debate for the past 14 years, has announced her plans to step down at the end of the school year. With her no longer in the role, it leaves the team without a faculty sponsor, a requirement for any school-sponsored club to continue operating.
“Debate offers opportunities to develop valuable, transferable skills. People often think debate is just about public speaking, but it’s not only that. The preparatory skills involved in debate are essential. You learn how to research, analyze a problem, approach it logically, and develop both sides of an argument,” said Deam.
Without a new advisor to fill the role, the club may be forced to shut down entirely. Debate has long offered a unique experience unlike any other club at Ames High. The absence of such a valuable program would leave a noticeable gap in the school’s academic and extracurricular offerings, limiting the range of activities available to students.
“I’ve been doing a behind-the-scenes search to find someone with a particular interest or skills that would make them a good coach. So far, I haven’t had much luck. Most people I’ve talked to have said they’re not interested,” explained Deam.
The difficulty in finding a replacement stems in part from the demanding nature of the role itself. When asked about why she decided to step away, Deam spoke about the challenges of the position.
“It’s a very time-consuming job, not just for the students, but also for the coach. The tournaments are long, sometimes a full weekend. I’ve got a full teaching load, and there’s no assistant. I have to drive the team and handle sign-ups,” said Deam.
Prior to COVID, the club had solid participation and steady recruitment. However, when the pandemic hit, it became increasingly difficult to bolster engagement and bring in new members. Only in the past year has the club begun to regain momentum, with a growing number of students participating and attending more tournaments.
“When I first started, we usually just took one van, about seven kids. Within a few years, the team tripled in size. I was taking three vans. That was our high point. Then COVID hit, and our numbers dropped dramatically, just like debate programs across the country,” said Deam.
Debate provides a unique environment for developing essential skills that students will continue to use throughout their lives. Its continuation is not only for maintaining these opportunities, but also for supporting the educational goals of the school.
“The topics we debate are often very timely issues that are actually being discussed in Congress or state legislatures. Debate helps students understand current events and prepares them to be informed citizens,” said Deam.
Despite the challenges, the potential end of debate would mean more than just the end of a club; it would mean taking away a space where students are able to gain valuable skills that extend beyond the classroom.
“I think it would be really bad if debate just disappeared. Debate, more than a lot of other clubs, like speech, even, really builds important skills like critical thinking, research, and communication. Ames High needs a debate club,” said senior Nadia Kobayashi, former debate co-leader.
