It's debatable

I cannot express enough how much we have loved Madison's debate class this year and our new involvement in the National Christian Forensics and Communication Association. I already posted about Madison and my visits to pre-season warm up tournaments - which were so helpful to watch. January 12-14 brought us our very first actual tournament, in which Madison competed in Lincoln Douglas debate and she and Carson in Duo Interpretation. What an amazing experience!!

Madison's class has taken on the name DiSCO (Debate Scholars of Central Oklahoma). Here they are at our house the week before tournament prepping their arguments. How awesome to have 13 - 17 year olds sitting around your dining room table discussing due process and the discovery of fact. These kids are so bright and encouraging and excellent and fun. I am really thankful for them.

Morning of day one of very first tournament...

Some of our DiSCO kids congregating before things get started...

No "win or die trying" attitude here. The kids are praying together to head in to the day and it was not rare to see and experienced debater offer to pray with his/ her opponent before the round started. And as long as those 17 year old boys don't offer to pray with Madison I am just fine with that. :)

Madison was amazing. I was so worried about her little 13 year old self going into debate these big, experienced kids but she really did so well. You do not find out until after the tournament which rounds you won or lost but we know now that she won her very first ever round against an experienced debater! She was so confident and when she didn't know what to say - you couldn't tell. I was so very proud of her. She ended up winning 2 of her 6 rounds - which is better than we thought.

But then she and Carson... they made it to the semi finals with their duo! They were hilarious and just so so good. They won 5th place overall for the entire tournament!! Love it!!!

Ally's birthday hit right in the middle of the tournament. Knowing how hectic and busy it would be (3 days of 7 am - 7pm or later) we had simply decided to celebrate her birthday afterwards. However, two friends of mine brought birthday treats to the tournament for her without knowing the other had done so as well. Seriously, me, her own mother did nothing while TWO of my friends, who are just as busy, with their own kids debating, were thoughtful enough to celebrate our sweet Peach. I think I was more blessed than she was.

 A few more shots...

We had no idea that Carson and Madison would be called up on stage during the awards ceremony to receive honors for their duo and I took Carson back to the house on Saturday afternoon due o his pure exhaustion (I can't convey enough how truly tiring the three days are!). But his sister was happy to collect for him.

I can't recommend enough the benefits of speech and debate. Looking forward to the year and the future.