Spotsylvania County Public Schools middle school students made history this year by inaugurating the first ever virtual debate tournament. The virtual tournament was organized through the Spotsylvania County Middle School Debate League, Stephen O’Baugh of Rockingham County Schools and National Speech and Debate Association. All seven county middle schools participated with a total of 25 two-person teams competing against each other on the topic Resolved: Online-Distance learning is a superior way of learning than in-class instruction. The format was public-forum debate with pro and con teams of two paired against each other in three separate rounds of debate. Teams debated each other in virtual rooms through Tabroom.com. The final school results were: 1st -Spotsylvania Middle; 2nd -Thornburg Middle; and 3rd- Chancellor Middle. The future of virtual debate looks very promising as the Spotsylvania Middle Debate League is coordinating future virtual tournaments with the Richmond Debate Institute and Richmond Middle School Debate League.

<strong>Contact: </strong>

Scott Miller, Debate Coach, Teacher

<a href="mailto:smiller@spotsylvania.k12.va.us">smiller@spotsylvania.k12.va.us</a>

540-898-4445 ext. 2244