Rising Star High School debate team members won big at this year’s Cross Examination Debate UIL District Competition, earning 1st, 2nd, and 4th places. Hosted by Abilene Christian University on Monday, February 4, RSHS school students earned the prestigious title as UIL District Champions.
Sophomore team members Kendall Bass and Ray Dollins dominated the UIL District Competition earning 5 wins and no losses. The record qualifies the team to represent District 12-1A at the UIL State CX Debate Tournament in Austin in March. This is the fifth year of competition for the debate squad, and it is the second year for Bass and Dollins to debate at the UIL state meet. “Around sixty 1A schools will compete at UIL state,” said Dr. Max Thompson. “Both of the boys earned high praise from an outstanding judging panel, said Superintendent and Debate Coach, Dr. Max Thompson. “They have gotten better with every round. They caught fire in January and I’m excited that they will be coming back next year and encouraging others to join as well. Kendall and Ray have kept the tradition of getting to state alive.”
The UIL Meet is the second state tournament Bass/Dollins has qualified for this year. Based on their win-loss record at qualifying tournaments and advancing to elimination round competition, they will also compete in the Texas Forensic Association State Tournament in Grand Prairie in March. The team won honors in several meets this year including Seminole and Midland where they defeated large school competition. Based on a point system for advancement in elimination rounds at qualifying tournaments throughout the season, Bass/Dollins have earned an invitation to the State TFA meet. There they will debate against mainly large schools with Rising Star being only one of 5-6 Texas 1A schools to have met the seasonal point system required to participate in the tournament.
“RSHS debaters want to win, and they have competed well, placing in the top levels at multiple large tournaments this year, including against schools spawning state champions and national qualifiers in past years,” said Superintendent Thompson. “Although we are a small school, we believe that we can compete against any team in the state and be successful, and so far, the kids have done just that. What we want now are more team members to keep our winning tradition growing. Our doors are open for other students who are willing to work hard to learn a complex academic sport,” Dr. Thompson said. “Debate is not easy, but success makes the work worth it.”
This year we opened up our junior high program to surrounding schools for the Central Texas Debate League. This program is free of charge to parents to any student wishing to compete with Rising Star ISD and has been made possible by the Rising Star ISD Education Foundation.
For more information about Rising Star ISD and its Education Foundation, Sarah Childers at 325-203-3262.