Kingston High School sophomore Mitch Murdock qualified to represent the Western Washington National Forensic League (NFL) District and KHS at the NFL’s Desert Lights National Speech and Debate Tournament in Las Vegas June 15-20. Mitch placed first in International Extemporaneous Speaking at the Qualifying Tournament held in Federal Way in March. His brother, senior Frank Murdock will represent the Western Washington Division in the Lincoln-Douglas Debate at the national tournament.
According to KHS Debate Team Coach D. MacKinnon, Mitch is an amazing young man. He already has competed in enough tournaments and placed high enough in those tournaments to have a degree of superior distinction from the NFL. This year he competed in Lincoln-Douglas Debate and extemporaneous speaking.
In the March event, competitors picked a topic from a prescribed list a half hour before they had to deliver a seven-minute speech on the chosen topic. Mitch’s topic for finals at this tournament was, “Is Iraq any further along its path towards controlling the insurgents?”
To prepare, Mitch spends an average of four hours each school day researching potential topics. His research is catalogued in three large file boxes he takes with him. This season, he attended a lecture by the editor of a Russian policy journal at the University of Washington, spent part of his winter break at an out-of-state tournament and competed in over 12 tournaments total. Over the season, his favorite topics have been, “Is terrorism a legitimate tactic for oppressed minorities in non-democratic states?” and “What are the biggest economic risks facing China in 2008?” He will be the KHS team captain next year.
Frank is an NFL Academic All-American and has debated all four years of his high school career, earning over 1,000 NFL points for a degree of “outstanding distinction.”
The KHS debate team competed against 14 other qualifiers at the 3A State Tournament March 14-15 on the topic “Resolved: Hate crime enhancements are unjust in the United States.”
After the first round of competition, debaters were power-matched, meaning a winner went up against another winner from the previous round. Neither Buccaneer made it to quarter-finals but Frank and Mitch tied for Third Place Speaker at the tournament.
The debate team wishes to thank its sponsors: Dr. Zygar, Attorney McKinstry, Attorney Forbes, Mark & Ginny Bell, Mary Corbett, Ann Wood, Jane Ritley and Steve Bauer, and the North Kitsap Education Foundation for matching funds.
Donations are needed to pay the expenses for Mitch and Frank Murdock and their coach to travel to the National Forensic League’s Desert Lights National Speech and Debate Tournament in Las Vegas June 15-20. Contributions may be made to the Kingston High School Debate Club, 26201 Siyaya Ave. NE, Kingston, WA 98346 or contact KHS Debate Team Coach Dr. D. MacKinnon at (360) 394-1294 for more information on sponsorships.
