Randolph-Macon College’s Franklin Debating Society will host the touring British parliamentary debaters on October 9, 2018 at 7:30 p.m. in Washington-Franklin Hall (104 College Avenue). This year’s topic is: This House supports the use of performing enhancing drugs in sports. This lively event, which encourages audience participation, is free and open to the public. Map and Directions

The Teams
The British team consists of Méabh McMahon Flanagan (undergraduate degree from University College Cork in history and English; master’s degree in international security studies from University of St. Andrews) and Owen Mooney (undergraduate degree from University of Glasgow in economics and economic and social history).

They will debate the Randolph-Macon team of Brianne Habit ’19 (communication studies and political science major) and Bridget Maas ’20 (economics and Spanish major). Habit and Maas, dedicated members of the Franklin Debating Society, have extensive experience in parliamentary debate.

Partnership
The British tour is a partnership between National Communication Association’s (NCA) Committee for International Discussion and Debate (CIDD) representing the U.S. side and English-Speaking Union (ESU) representing the British side.

“RMC is delighted to once again be one of the stops for the British tour,” says Communication Studies and English Professor Ted Sheckels, who coaches the Franklin Debating Society.

“The tour demonstrates the power of debate, discussion, and cultural exchange as ways of bridging communities,” notes Communication Studies Professor Ruth Beerman, who also coaches the Franklin Debating Society. “We’re excited to be a part of the nearly century-long British parliamentary tour; Randolph-Macon’s nearly 20-year participation reflects our commitment to the liberal arts tradition of excellence.”

Local Connections
On October 10, the British team will travel to Atlee High School to debate a team of students from local high school debaters. Stephen Wiecek will represent Atlee High School and Gabe Worthington will represent Lee-Davis High School. Both high schools debated the touring British team last year, including Worthington as part of the Lee-Davis team.

“We’re also excited to have the British team engage with area high schools, as it offers those high school students wonderful opportunities,” says Beerman. “As a former high school and college debater myself, I’ve seen the power of debate and forensics to transform students’ lives.”

Keynote Address
On September 28, Beerman will serve as the invited keynote speaker at the 2018 VAFTDC Conference (Virginia Association of Forensics, Theatre, and Debate Coaches) in Williamsburg, Virginia.

“I am honored to serve as the keynote speaker for this conference, which is for high school teachers of forensics, theatre and debate,” says Beerman, who also serves as the East Coast Representative for CIDD. “I am also proud to represent R-MC and to discuss how the conference theme, ‘Outspoken,’ relates to coaching, pedagogy and civic life.”

The Franklin Debating Society
The Franklin Debating Society competes in the Collegiate Forensics Association (CFA) circuit.

Students compete in a variety of events, including debate and forensics. Debate includes both parliamentary debate and Lincoln-Douglas. Forensics events include: informative speaking, persuasive speaking, after dinner speaking, impromptu speaking, extemporaneous speaking, communication analysis, declamation, poetry interpretation, prose interpretation, single dramatic interpretation, and duo dramatic interpretation.

Upcoming Tournaments
The Franklin Debating Society will compete in the following tournaments during the 2018-2019 school year:

October 19-20, 2018: tournament at Shepherd University; November 2-3, 2018: tournament at Shippensburg University; November 30-December 1, 2018: tournament at Randolph-Macon College; January 24-27, 2019: tournament at College of Charleston; February 8-10, 2019: tournament at Gaston Day School; and February 28-March 3, 2019: tournament in Ocean City, Maryland.

“Our returning students are excited to begin our season; they are working hard to defend last year’s overall first-place award,” Beerman notes. “We are also thrilled to welcome our new students to the team. The Franklin Debating Society is open to all RMC students. We are proud that our students represent a wide range of majors, such as political science, communication studies, economics, and behavioral neuroscience.”