Two Robbinsdale Cooper debate stars are showcased on MPR.
By Maria Elena Baca, Star Tribune
Last update: October 19, 2007 – 8:45 PM
Legal pads in hand, Dan Willey and Emilia Spalding emerged to expectant applause in the UBS Forum studio at Minnesota Public Radio. They were making their mass media debut at a taping of the new MPR issue/variety show, "In the Loop," taking opposite stands on the theme: "Democracy is the best way for groups of people to make decisions."
Not a bad gig for members of a high school debate team.
The two were using the Lincoln-Douglas debate format, named for the famous political exchanges that helped launch President Abraham Lincoln to national fame almost 150 years ago. It was a format, the show's host, Jeff Horwich, said, "that we will thoroughly bastardize here tonight."
You could see and hear them relax into their roles -- Willey on the affirmative, Spalding on the negative -- trading factoids, -isms and barbs, often punctuated by musical "stingers" from the band.
The friends left the stage smiling.
The Robbinsdale Cooper debate team sometimes puts on demonstrations for local Rotary clubs and other organizations. Still, seniors Willey and Spalding say that most people -- weaned on election-year debates -- don't really know what debate is about.
They know. Willey, 18, of Crystal, won last year's state Lincoln-Douglas debate tournament.
At the national competition in Wichita, Kan., Willey placed 13th. Spalding, 17, of Minneapolis, took ninth place in the National Student Congress category.
But their laurels didn't elevate them to public radio; their attitude did. "In the Loop" associate producer Sanden Totten checked out a couple other schools' debate teams before he visited Cooper; he liked the way Willey and Spalding clicked together.
"I cared about if they seemed like they'd be smart about the topic and have fun with it," he said. And they did. After the show, Totten lauded the pair's ability to not only hammer the topic but crack jokes. "They did awesome."
According to the Minnesota State High School League, more than 1,000 Minnesota students participate in debate.
In Lincoln-Douglas debate, two speakers face off with opening statements, rebuttals and cross-examinations. A judge decides who has made the most persuasive case. In their arguments, they use expert testimony, philosophy, history, and their own logic and quick wit.
More than meets the eye
"It's not as superficial as most people think," Willey said. "Television debates are more just for a politician to explain his opinions or gain public favor, but they don't try to delve into the truth. But high school debate at least tries to access the truth."
In a tournament, they need to be prepared to take either the negative or affirmative side.
"You just have to get over your initial impressions of the topic and find out what merit there is on the other side," Willey said. "It makes you a lot more critical. You don't accept anything at face value."
Spalding agreed that taking a wide view on issues is a valuable skill to learn.
"It's a really good thing to see both sides of something," she said. "You can never be accused of being a biased person."
Their coach, D.J. Brynteson, said those kinds of critical thinking skills are essential.
"In my mind, I thought debate could be that silver bullet," he said. "Every kid should have to go through that debate thought process, a class that forces them to think critically."
Debate has broadened both of their perspectives.
"I find that I'm very, very often talking about something that most of the students don't know anything about," Willey said. "Especially when you get to the really abstract stuff. There's not a lot of high school students reading Nietzsche."
Reprinted from the October 20th, 2007 Star Tribune