On Sept. 12-13, debate participants gathered for Debate Novice Extravaganza Tournament. Bellaire’s novice debate team faced off against three schools including Oak Ridge High School and Liberty High School, while varsity debate members gained experience participating in tournament by judging, serving concession, and handling the judge ballots.

Alumni debate coach Kyle Bean gave insight to the purpose and the function of the tournament, a method that has been preserved by the debate team since Bean was a member in 2003-2006.

“Novice Ex was sort of like our training tournament; it was supposed to be kind of a learning experience for both novice and varsity debaters,” Bean said. “Novices competing for their first time were able to get in a bunch of rounds and a bunch of practice and start to put together what we have been teaching them and giving them. Varsity members got to experience judging, so they got to further their education by understanding what goes into making a decision and how decisions are made.”

Bean found that the tournament provided a way for novices to adjust themselves to competitive debating.

“For a lot of first time debaters it is really difficult to conceptually wrap your head around what it looks like and how it proceeds until you actually get in there and do it,” Bean said. “And it’s a much less intimidating environment than debating in front of college kids or coaches as your judges. When the judges are just people on your team or varsity members from other schools, it’s a little bit more comfortable and low-key, and I think it’s a better introductory environment.”

Junior Carrie Nentwich participated as a debater at Novice Ex, and she agreed that the tournament made debating less intimidating.

“I thought that a debate round would be more confusing, but this tournament has clarified a lot for me,” Nentwich said. “I realized that your opponents are not always that scary, and that really it’s all about confidence.”

Debate participants will further enhance their skills at the next tournament on Oct. 10-11 at Cypress Lakes High School.