Seniors John McKissack and Dominique Malone ventured to the unknown as the first debate duo from White Station High School to ever attend The Urban Debate League National Championship in San Francisco, alongside their coach Curt Rakestraw. They met fellow debaters from Detroit,St. Louis, Rhode Island, and more; they also connected with influential leaders from the debate community.

All three participants experienced culture shock when their skills were pitted against some of the best opponents in the country. Malone and McKissack witnessed different styles of debate that intertwined speed reading with performing to prove their points. Nevertheless, the duo stuck to what they knew and applied logic and reasoning to take home the accomplishment of winning three rounds.

“It was interesting being able to see how different leagues argue their points,” Curt Rakestraw said.

But the achievement they are proudest of is the legacy they are leaving behind for White Station and Memphis. The team plans to share what they learned from other leagues with the Metro Memphis Urban Debate League to make Memphis debating better than how it was before.

“It’s a bittersweet feeling to know that this is our last high school debate tournament,” John McKissack (12) said.