Seventy teams from across the country competed at the Johns Hopkins Debate Competition on Sept. 11 and 12, but it was College of Arts and Sciences senior Alex Taubes and partner CAS sophomore Alison Kennedy, who nabbed first place, making Boston University the top debate team in the country.
The duo &- Taubes, vice president of the Debate Society, and Kennedy, the Society's secretary &- has been working hard with their fellow teammates in preparation for the competition, which marked the official start of the 2010- 11 debate season.
Although they don't know what to expect from the competition, members of the debate team still prepare for tournaments with bi-weekly practices.
There, members formulate strategies and write their own arguments, Taubes said.
Both Taubes and Kennedy said they were nervous before the John Hopkins Debate but expected to perform well because of BU's past success there.
College debate is different from high school debate in that it "emphasizes spontaneity and argument rather than research," Taubes said.
Topics can range from the death penalty to the housing crisis and the only rule is "that it has to be debatable," he said.
Many members, including Kennedy and Taubes, are philosophy majors, so it's no surprise that BU is known for choosing philosophical arguments, the duo said.
While Kennedy usually chooses philosophical issues, Taubes said he prefers economic arguments.
Taubes said it isn't uncommon for many debate members to go on to law school, which is what he plans to do after graduation.
"Debate has given me the skills I need to succeed in law school," he said.
While Kennedy said she's unsure of post-graduate plans, she intends to complete her degree in philosophy and possibly double major in psychology.
Kennedy said she acknowledges the many benefits of the BU Debate Society and said BU has "so many brilliant students that could not only contribute a lot to debate, but get a lot out of it as well."
Their teammates hold the duo in high regard.
CAS sophomore Monica Martini said Taubes and Kennedy are more than fellow debaters, they're friends on whom she can rely on.
"I know they can always give me advice on improvement, they are great mentors and role models for our team," she said. "They represent BU in a very positive way...they are a really strong team."
CAS sophomore and fellow Debate Society member Camilo Pardo said Taubes and Kennedy helped him acquire the debate skills he needed when he joined the team last year.
"I came in not knowing anyone at all and Alex took me and my friend in and he said, "here's how you debate'," he said. "He and Allison taught us the format, how to debate. . . and they gave us the push, which is usually what I need because I'm usually afraid of public speaking."
Pardo said the two have also done a great job leading the team to success, especially because the organization did not have a coach last year.
The club continues to grow in popularity and number.
About 20 new members are now training for the BU Novice Competition, which is specifically designed for new debaters, on Oct. 1 and 2 at BU.
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