Debate and Speech
Bethany’s speech and debate teams participate in the Indiana High School Forensics Association and the Northwest Indiana District of the National Forensic League. See schedule of events. For information on past years, see season summaries.
Speech and debate is coached by Michael Yeakey, who in 2011 received the Distinguished Service Key from the National Forensic League, which notes that Yeakey is one of only 313 coaches out of tens of thousands since 1925 to earn this honor.
Participating in speech and debate can help students become more effective communicators, ethical individuals, critical thinkers, and leaders.
- Debate offers students a chance to bring critical thinking skills to bear on real-life issues. The ideas that are considered require research, composition (of speeches), and a grasp of the issues underlying the presenting issues debated. Debate in the classroom leads to gains in engagement and participation, skill development, content knowledge, and academic performance.
- Speech events can provide students opportunities to hone a plethora of speaking skills in public. Separate events emphasize interpretation, public address, and broadcasting abilities.
According to the National Forensic League, students who are involved in speech and debate:
- demonstrate higher levels of critical thinking and intellectual curiosity.
- typically score higher on standardized tests and classroom assessments.
- are more likely to be self-confident and independent.
- tend to feel more included and accepted socially.
- can benefit in the college admission and scholarship awarding process (see Yale study).
Debate and Speech Schedule
[view:eventlist=100=Forensics]
Season Summaries
2009-10 Summary
Recognized for high point totals for the seniors was Tony Miller, with 263 National Forensic League (NFL) points. Among juniors, high point leader was Ji Eun Han, with 171 points.
Miller earned the Degree of Distinction by totaling over 250 points during his career; Han and senior Joel Fidler earned the Degree of Excellence by scoring more than 150 points. Senior Luis Lopez and juniors Sharisse Yoder, David Nussbaum, and Nik Diaz all earned the Degree of Honor in racking up more than 75 points over the season. Senior Karsten Hess earned the Degree of Merit by earning more than 25 points.
For earning at least 150 NFL points, Miller, Han, and Fidler were each awarded a varsity letter from Bethany.
Miller, Fidler, Nussbaum, and Lopez each qualified for the Indiana High School Forensic Association state competition.
2010-11 Summary
Among the team's highlights this year were a championship in the small entry division at Elkhart Central in December and a sixth place in Class A at the state speech tournament in March.
Senior Ji Eun Han concludes her two-year career with 372 National Forensic League (NFL) points, the most in school history. Junior Paige Wheeler won the award for most net points for the season, with 321 NFL points.
Earning varsity letters were Han (her second) and fellow senior Sharisse Yoder; Wheeler and fellow juniors Pooja Patel, Grace Whiteford, and Ben Hochstetler; and frosh Parth Patel.
Top speakers by class were senior Han, junior Wheeler, sophomore Maddie Gerig, and frosh Parth Patel.