If you like civics and you also like fact-based conversations, there’s a new school team that could be perfect for you.
JHop’s debate team began in September, and scholars are already taking sides.
Sponsored by Mrs. Fisher and Mr. Lemery, the debate team meets after school every Thursday, in Mrs. Fisher’s classroom.
Team members learn debate strategies and tactics and how to engage in arguments as well as how to avoid logical fallacies.
Mrs. Fisher said students who disagree with the side they take nonetheless will learn how to be a good debater by supporting and backing up a claim without using opinions.
The John Hopkins team will join competitions and go against teams from other schools as a member of the Florida Civics and Debate Initiative.
Competitions are out of school on Saturdays, which requires a signed permission slip from Mrs. Fisher or Mr. Lemery.
Mrs. Fisher said she was inspired to found a debate team at John Hopkins after seeing the debate team at Tyrone in action.
“They are currently the only school in Pinellas County that has a debate team,” she said.
About six to 10 scholars – mostly 7th graders – will make up the team. The only requirement is to have good grades and be willing to participate in civic-based conversations.
