Colleyville Heritage High School Debate

From Mari Littlejohn, mother of former debaters Jason and Justin Murray and current debater Andrew Murray:

Debate literally transformed my sons’ lives.  From day one, you could almost see their brains growing in response to the debate training.  They not only learned to think on their feet, but their writing abilities, analytical skills, critical thinking and reasoning abilities all increased dramatically over the four years of participation. They learned to answer every side of an argument, as they pushed themselves to think in ways that they never had before.  They became more tolerant of others who came from different backgrounds and held different beliefs.  They developed a strong sense of social responsibility as they were immersed in topics that addressed some of the world's most pressing issues.  Their ability to speak easily and persuasively in a public forum, often before strangers, and in a time pressured, competitive environment, is a skill that is incredibly beneficial, and they will use it for the rest of their lives regardless of the career path they choose.  As time went on, their academic classes became more challenging, but they both thought school was easier because they had became stronger thinkers.  I believe their debate training helped them both graduate in the top of their high school classes.
 
I believe that my sons’ participation and success in debate was one of the most important factors in their acceptance into a top Ivy League college.  Not only do admissions committees look favorably on participation in such an intellectually rigorous activity, but debate coaches from top colleges across the country judged debate rounds that my sons competed in.  They were able to meet with these coaches and discuss their college plans with them.  There are also opportunities for debate scholarships in college and opportunities to win scholarship money to the college of your choice, when you are competing in debate at the high school level. 
 
As far as success in college goes, they entered the university well-prepared for the higher order thinking required in college, using many of the skills they developed in high school debate on a daily basis.  I have no doubt that their participation in high school debate is a large part of the reason that they are both currently at the top of their class at Harvard.
 

Some students are repelled from making debate one of their extra-curricular activities on the grounds that it seems too much like class and work.  Debate ranks among those rare activities that one is originally hesitant to begin but instantly comes to enjoy.  During my time in high school, I experienced few things that were more exciting than devising an argumentative strategy that is assured to bewilder or challenge my opponents.

Yet debate is not merely an enjoyable and exhilarating activity.  It is also enormously useful, both in terms of the opportunities that it enables and the skills that it develops.  Debate provides an outstanding training in rhetoric, research, writing and logic.  These skills are invaluable in every aspect of life and in virtually any career you will choose down the road.  College admissions boards have recognized the extraordinary value of debate, and are now known to esteem it above nearly any other extracurricular activity when making their admissions decisions.  To any students with ambitious plans for the future or a genuine desire to improve their minds and communications skills, I unqualifiedly advise you to try out debate during your high school years.

-- Jason Murray --
Former CHHS Debater
Student, Harvard University