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Antioch students examine presidential election issues
Mock debate helps students increase critical thinking
http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008811070333
By Suzanne Normand • Blackwood • THE TENNESSEAN • November 7, 2008

Antioch High School debate students recently had a chance to demonstrate their oratory skills as well as the importance of staying informed on the issues.

The school held a presidential debate Monday on election eve in which one team debated for Sen. Barack Obama, and one team debated for Sen. John McCain.

The Obama team consisted of students Marlene Abdelnour, Matthew Benson and Chase Jones and English teacher Marc Quarles. The McCain team consisted of students Purvi Prema and Alexandra Mitchell, psychology teacher Eric Haines, and educational assistant Cephus Trotter of the school's Making A Change program.

Carlos Maradiaga, 18, said he voted in Tuesday's historic U.S. election in which Obama was elected the first African-American president.

Although he was pretty well informed before the debate, Carlos said the debate did give him some new information, especially about Obama. He said he thought both sides did well "at defending what they believe in."

Debate coach Carrol Trusty said she encouraged the students to debate for the side they opposed.

"You have to see both sides to do an accurate analysis of a topic," she said. "So in academic debate, they alternate sides."

Trusty said doing this leads to "a tremendous increase in critical thinking."

As a result, she said she saw in the audience "more of a split" than expected.

Senior Tiffany Gains, who is a debate student, said getting the information out there is a huge part of a successful debate.

But, added junior Fatma Ahmed, who is also a debate student, de bate is more than "saying what you know." It's also getting up there and saying "what you know is right."

The idea for the debate originated with a conversation that took place after school one day between a student and Assistant Principal Bruce Curtis , Trusty said. They began talking about the election, and Curtis jovially challenged the st udent to a debate.

Topics mirrored actual ones

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