Jets Debate Team qualifies for international meet

James Clemens Debate Team members Sarah Matar, from left, Olivia Barnes and Reema Matar have qualified to compete in the International Public Policy Forum (IPPF) debate. CONTRIBUTED

MADISON – The Debate Team at James Clemens High School shrewdly dealt with ‘affirmative constructives’ and ‘negative constructives’ to qualify for competition in the International Public Policy Forum (IPPF) debate.

These James Clemens students advanced to “Round of 64” in IPPF. These 64 teams will compete for the $10,000 grand prize and an all-expenses-paid trip to New York City in 2017. Brewer Foundation and New York University are sponsoring the global competition.

Members of James Clemens Debate Team are Sarah Matar, Reema Matar and Olivia Barnes.

“If they move forward, they will go to the 32 Round, 16 Round and 8 Round,” sponsor and James Clemens teacher Lucas Powell said. “The 8 Round winners will go to New York City to compete on the world stage.”

In keeping with an opinionated issue in current events, the topic for the 2016-2017 contest is “Resolved: The obligation to provide safe haven for refugees should outweigh a government’s right to control its borders.”

The forum is the first and only international debate competition that gives high school students the opportunity to engage in written and oral debates on issues of public policy.

In 2016, the top 64 teams represented schools from 24 U.S. states and 16 countries, including Tokyo, Japan; Rajkot, India; Gauteng, South Africa; Ljubljana, Slovenia; Geneva, Switzerland; and Singapore. Advancing teams will now participate in a single-elimination, written debate tournament.

The IPPF Finals give students the opportunity to participate in oral debates in front of some of the world’s foremost experts in debate, business, law and politics.

This international contest is open to all schools, public and private, for free. IPPF welcomes students across the spectrum of debate and forensic events. High school teams compete for awards and scholarships.

Brewer Foundation founded IPPF in 2001. Leading forensic agencies that endorse the competition include National Association for Urban Debate Leagues and Associated Leaders of Urban Debate Leagues.

The Brewer Foundation is a private, non-profit organization funded by companies, individuals and the national litigation firm of Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors.

For more information, visit ippfdebate.com/top64.