The Morden Collegiate Institute (MCI) debate club just returned from a week-long trip to Halifax, NS. for the National Debating Seminar.

The three members of the debate club, Maddie Meilun, Madison Wood, and Vanessa Wiebe, took part in workshops, debates, and a mock parliament exercise.

"It's phenomenal for me," said Mike Macaraeg, debate club coach and science teacher at MCI.

"We're a rural school and we live in a rural community. Typically debate is something that's really focused on Winnipeg schools. It means amazing things because we sent a French student, a bilingual student, and an English-speaking student to this seminar, and they did [great]."

Vanessa Wiebe is the bilingual student-debater on the team. Her role was, perhaps, the most complex.

"To be a bilingual delegate you had to do 50-50," said Wiebe.

She was required to give six-minute speeches where half the time was spent in English and the other half in French.

"That switch is kind of difficult, because you have to try and rewire your brain within 10 seconds. But, after you get used to it, it becomes [easier]," Wiebe said.

Maddie Meilun spoke purely in English during the seminar, while Madison Wood only spoke French. Their experience was educational.

"I really liked it," said Wood, "because I got to learn a lot about the different provinces and Nova Scotia. I also learned about debating styles."

Wood was happy to debate in French because she felt it gave her a leg-up in school.

"I think I learned a lot about how to be a better debater," shared Meilun.

"It really helped being with other kids, some who are a little more experienced, some are less [experienced]. That range helped me see how I can be better."

One of the more difficult questions the debaters were asked was about continuing to pay damages to people who suffered historical injustices, such as residential schools. It required an outside-the-box approach since the answer wasn't as simple as "yes", or "no".

Mike Macaraeg, debate club coach, said his favourite part was seeing growth in the students at the seminar.

"Sometimes shy students come together for a common cause, and just gel and become a group. You can feel the camaraderie that happens in the span of two days, and by the end of the sixth day, they were best friends."

During the seminar, Macaraeg as able to see his students challenge themselves with deep, important topics.

He encouraged students to join debate clubs in their own schools because it teaches and builds public speaking.

"A lot of people think that debate is difficult," Macaraeg said. "You really just have to throw yourself out there. Everyone usually bombs their first debate, but you learn. You're a step ahead of everybody else when you let yourself out there and take that jump."

He mentioned learning to debate also strengthens on-the-spot critical thinking. Sometimes the debate club only receives 10-20 minutes to prepare for a 30 minute debate.

"Debate club is one of my favourite parts of the week because it's really fun," said Wiebe. "It's a great atmosphere that we've created. [Debating] can get you really thinking about something different."