On 5/3, I arrived at NACIS's campus at 8 o'clock. I was there to attend the Shanghai Speech Debate Invitational that my debate teachers organized. This is very rare because they are a part of a debate organization, not a professional competition organizer. But nevertheless, it was an amazing experience and I am here to share it with you.
The competition was for young teens like me, and I was on a team with two boys who were a year older. We had practiced a lot together, learning how to build strong arguments and respond quickly. The format was based on the World Schools Debating Championship (WSDC), which means each of us had to speak clearly and persuasively on different sides of the topic.
We worked hard and managed to make it all the way to the semifinals, which was really exciting because there were more than 40 teams competing. Everyone was nervous but also eager to do their best. Unfortunately, in the semifinals, we lost to a team that seemed weaker on paper. It was surprising and a little disappointing, but it taught me that in debate, you can never underestimate any opponent. Sometimes, small mistakes or missed chances can change the whole outcome.
Even though we didn’t win, the experience helped me improve my skills and showed me how important teamwork and preparation are. Being on a team with older students helped me learn a lot and made the whole event even more special. I’m grateful to my teachers for organizing this and can’t wait for the next competition! |