How does it feel to finally be a senior debater? 

“Being a senior debater feels kind of unrealistic almost because I feel like I’m still stuck in sophomore or freshman year mentality. I feel like a lot of seniors can relate to that. But with being a senior comes a little bit more pressure to perform those important leadership tasks that last year’s seniors demonstrated.’’

How long have you been in debate and why have you stayed as long as you have?

“I’ve been in debate for four years now and I’ve stayed because I really do enjoy the program and the competition along with it.  When you get rolling in that first or second year, you form a lot of friendships.”

Do you have any tournaments that have changed the way you debate? 

“There’s actually been a few different tournaments that change the way I debate. Whenever my partner and I went to nationals, we saw a lot of diverse styles that were from all over the nation. Southeast Kansas debating is very different from classical Kansas City debate, which is what me and my partner do. So with that, we’ve had to have a higher level of thinking and more complicated structures.”

Is there a special memory from debate that you’ll never forget?

“I have a bunch of memories, but the ones that stick out the most are from me and my debate partner last year. We saw a mouse run across the room in the middle of my speech and I flipped out. It became this big ordeal and we had to try and chase it down but we never caught it. I saw it again in my next round because we were in the same room.” 

What are you looking forward to this year? 

“I’m really looking forward to more KDC tournaments up in Kansas City, Wichita and Topeka. Luckily, we’ll be able to expand our program to those areas, so my debate partner and I will mostly be there. I’m also looking forward to national qualifiers because I’m hoping to qualify again.”

What advice do you have for future debaters?

“It’s going to be difficult, complicated and mind-numbing at some points, but if you stick with it, it’ll get easier and easier.”

What are you going to miss the most after you graduate this year? 

“There’s a lot of things that I’m going to miss. The program itself is probably what I’m going to miss the most. I’m also going to miss the people, the relationships and the team bonding. Once you grow close to your coaches in any avenue, you’re going to feel like you’re leaving something behind.