Written by Michael Lovaglio
Imagine your two best friends in the middle of a classroom… calm but heated, debating different political views. One friend believes in a tax raise on college students; the other disagrees. As the standoff cools down, they look at each other; it's time to change the future. Students across the nation have witnessed historic presidential elections and political campaigns, watching representatives debate over America's future, including their own future. The weight of what the American government decides to do regarding the education system and students will shape future generations. Thankfully, students have been given an opportunity to shape their own future, debating controversial topics and making their voices heard in heated arguments, something MAST@FIU couldn't miss out on.
Introducing the MAST@FIU Debate Team, sponsored by Mr. Gonzalez, a group of talented, like-minded students ready to shift the political edge of high-school debate and make a real change in society.
Members:
- Victoria Arutunian - President
- Michael Lovaglio – Captain
- Matthew Hang
- Vladimir Artamonov
- Isabela Cajamarca
- Denitsa Zvetkova
- Nicolas Rodriguez
- Gabriella Zaken
- Shilat Jayo-Acuna
MAST@FIU's Debate Team has established a strong union of students throughout the pandemic, meeting weekly on Thursdays for a wide variety of events, such as flash debates, the most popular event in where one topic is decided, and everyone contributes their own ideas and beliefs in an unmoderated Zoom.
Apart from arguing, Debate Club members learn how to argue properly. They learn the theories behind different types of debates and how to write a speech and improve your tone of voice and body language. Debate Club members take away skills that'll stick with them for a lifetime, aiding them in any career they choose to pursue.
But don't just take it from me! Take it from the amazing students and faculty who make up the Debate Club.
Victoria Arutunian, a senior at MAST@FIU and the President of the Debate Club, was asked what prompted her to start the Debate Club. - "I really wanted the students at MAST@FIU to have the opportunity to express their opinion on different things in a professional and healthy type of way. Debating gives you skills you can use in the future, and this is something I wanted to bring to MAST@FIU."
According to Mr. Gonzalez, a history teacher at MAST@FIU and the Debate Club's Sponsor, "a new member of the Debate Club could expect to debate on current topics. Our meetings alternate between debating on current topics, to lessons on the proper means of debate; they learn how to debate in a formal environment."
Nicholas Rodriguez, a sophomore at MAST@FIU and a member of the Debate Team, told Bay Current that "to be honest, I joined in Freshman year because I felt I wanted to do something other than sitting around in the Wolfe Center. To my surprise, it ended up becoming something I really enjoy."
Whether you pop into a meeting to check it out or have a real interest in Speech and Debate, join the MAST@FIU Debate Club! The Debate Club meets every Thursday @ 2:30, and the Remind Code and Google Classrooms are listed below!
Remind Code: @mastfiud
Google Classroom: nrpvjtl