Welcome to

Debate-A-Palooza 2016

Sponsored by UNT Debate, the Department of Communication Studies, College and Student Service Fees

Get involved in debate at UNT!

The University of North Texas debate team is committed to excellence in public policy debate at national and regional levels.

Debate at North Texas dates back to 1901 when literary societies debated on campus. By 1912 the Texas Normal Debating League was formed of which North Texas was a part.

UNT has been hosting the British debate team annually since the 1950s. Since then, UNT debate has also hosted and debated teams from Japan and Rwanda.

UNT debate has been ranked in the top 50 debate programs nationally for the past 50 years.

If you’re interested in joining the debate team, please contact Dr. Brian Lain (Blain@unt.edu) or Louie Petit (Louie.Petit@unt.edu).

Round One - 2:00-2:50

BLB 055 – This house believes that the United States federal government should cease funding Planned Parenthood.

Affirmative: John Archolecas, Alexis Gonzalez, Tiffani Grosser, Jonathan Olivares

Negative: Karen Carranza, Chris Furbacher, Thomas Vasquez

Judge: Daniel Mitchell

BLB 073 - This house believes that firearms should be banned on all public universities and colleges.

Affirmative: Tutti Al-Riyami, Miranda Campbell, Mike Considine, Alex Harnack

Negative: Arliah Perez, Inwoo Park, Mackenzie Logan, Miguel Sifuentes

Judge: Amanda Sileo

BLB 035 – This house believes that the vaccination schedule recommended by the CDC (0-18 years) should be mandatory by law.

Affirmative: Woody Scypion, Janelle Garcia, Claire Apple, Riley Hamilton

Negative: Michelle Chavez, Heather Clark, Carter Tatum

Judge: Dr. Brian Lain

BLB 040 – This house believes that religious organizations should not be tax exempt.

Affirmative: Micah Sims, Rebecca Birch, Terry Moore, Jewels Thomson

Negative: Haleigh Ott, Austin Palmer, Sonia Blackwell

Judge: TBD

Round Two - 3:00-3:50

BLB 055 – This house believes that assisted suicide should be legalized.

Affirmative: Derrick Minor, Emma Blackmon, Julia Rogers

Negative: Anna Barringer, Ryan Kelly, Cali Kinder, Jeffrey Orth

Judge: Daniel Mitchell

BLB 073 - This house believes that minimum wage should be raised to $15/hr.

Affirmative: Koree Roberson, Nathan Dalmolin, Haylee Schwartz, Micah Sherman

Negative: Hailey Malicoat, Michelle Wingard, Russel Young

Judge: Amanda Sileo

BLB 035 - This house believes that animal testing by the cosmetics industry should be prohibited.

Affirmative: Kassie Hall, Illene Monh, Sarah Herigon, Richie Moreno

Negative: Gerardo Dimas, Jalisa Carter, Lauren Parker, Kayla Spurgeon

Judge: Dr. Brian Lain

BLB 040 – This house believes that U.S. citizenship should be granted to all non-violent immigrants.

Affirmative: Patricia Moreno, Taylor Coleman, Guadalupe Cienfuegos, Geoffrey McPhail

Negative: Kendra Bowens, Kimara Woolfolk, Adrian McFarland

Judge: TBD

Round Three - 4:00-4:50

BLB 055 – This house believes that both recreational and medical use of marijuana should be legalized.

Affirmative: Anthony August, Marissa Capra, Alejandra Cardenas, Rudy Vela

Negative: Chelsea Miller, Ben Garza, Ashley Benefield, Cassie Moreno

Judge: Daniel Mitchell

BLB 073 – This house believes that the U.S. government should guarantee two years of college tuition for all U.S. citizens.

Affirmative: Armando Gaytan, Lina Vargas, Jordan Webb, Jaclyn White

Negative: Sarah Aguilar, Lily Gill, Cody Frye, Valeria Vasquez

Judge: Amanda Sileo