McIntosh sent 19 students to compete in various speech and debate events at the Bruce Rogers Debate Tournament at Houston County High School on Saturday, Sept. 10. Students competed in varsity and novice public forum debate, arguing over the institution of the probable cause standard into United States public K-12 schools. Other students competed in a philosophy-based debate Lincoln-Douglas, and one student competed in impromptu speaking.

Seven of the 19 McIntosh competitors walked away with awards from the tournament. Junior James Wang placed semifinalist for novice Lincoln-Douglas, earning a record of 5-0 in the preliminary rounds. Sophomores Mark Ni and Shi-Ho Kim placed semifinalist in novice public forum with Kim earning fourth place speaker for novice public forum. In Varsity public forum, two McIntosh teams made it to quarterfinals with Juniors Kaitlyn Kinnard and Preston Pitts earning a quarter-finalist award and Junior Sam Ellis and Sophomore Jonathan Zhang winning their quarter-finalist round and going on to place co-champions of varsity public forum. Samuel Ellis also earned second place speaker in varsity public forum.

Jonathan Zhang said, “Debate is a thrilling activity that lets you use speaking skills and logic. There’s not much more exciting than walking out of a round knowing you did well.”