KDS Represents King’s at Competitive Toronto Tournament

On October 12-14, the King’s Debate Society (KDS) returned to Canada to compete in the Hart House I.V., hosted by the University of Toronto. The group included thirteen students, four of whom are first-year debaters, and coach Josiah Peterson. The Hart House I.V. is one of the most competitive tournaments that students will attend in the fall semester, drawing in undergraduate and graduate students as well as coaches from all over North America.

Lauren Marchand (PPE Dec ’18) and Katie Caswell (PPE ’20) ranked 25th out of 101 teams. Caswell was ranked 25th speaker out of 204 speakers. King’s debaters beat teams from Cornell University, Carleton College, University of Vermont, Queens University, McGill University, the University of Waterloo, and the University of Ottawa. Peterson was invited to judge the quarterfinal debates.

Debate topics included whether the United States should cut military aid to Saudi Arabia, whether or not it is ethical to consume art created by artists guilty of immoral acts, the benefits and drawbacks of global economic integration, whether it would be better if memories were permanent and infallible, and the role of technological innovation in combating climate change. King’s teams were praised by judges and coaches from Vermont and Cornell for handling difficult topics with dexterity and grace.

Coach Peterson says, “I always love taking debaters to the Hart House I.V., both because of the high level of competition and judges, but also because competing against international teams forces us to confront many of our assumptions that we take for granted as Americans. Canadians may speak the same language as Americans, but Canada is still a very different country than the U.S.”

King’s debaters enjoyed the traditional stop by Niagara Falls on the drive home, and started a new tradition of singing the national anthem upon crossing the border back into the States.

Brent Buterbaugh (PPE ’22), Katie Caswell (PPE ’20), Mason Clark (BUS ’21), Haley Davidson (MCA ’19), Lydia Dellere (PPE ’19), Lucas Ebel (PPE ’20), Sarah Fox (PPE ’20), Kaitlyn Hasegawa (PPE ’19), Geeta Lalvani (PPE ’22), Lauren Marchand (PPE Dec ’18), Raegan Stanley (ENG ’22), Eddie Van Zandt (PPE ’20), and Megan Waardenburg (PPE ’20) comprised the KDS team attending the tournament.