23 Jul Community Investment Helps Area Students Prepare for Debate Season
This week, the McPherson High School Debate team held its annual debate camp, giving students an opportunity to learn more about debate and prepare for the upcoming season of competition.
The camp serves as an introduction to debate for some students while helping more experienced debaters strengthen their skills before the start of the competition season.
This year, 72 students and coaches attended the camp, which was held on the McPherson College campus. The camp has continued to grow in recent years. In 2024, when the camp was open only to McPherson High School students, 30 students attended. In 2025, the first year the camp was opened to students from area high schools, attendance grew to 63. This year, the camp welcomed 72 students and coaches.
The camp was divided into three sections, along with individual working sessions. Topics covered included debate fundamentals, public speaking, adapting to different audiences, healthcare, and improving research and writing skills. Healthcare will serve as the topic for the upcoming debate season.
With the camp’s expansion to include students from neighboring districts, McPherson High School students have had the opportunity to connect with other student debaters while also receiving instruction from multiple coaches from the area.
“I’ve been blessed to have the support of several area coaches,” said Aaron Schopper, McPherson High School Debate coach.
The camp was supported by the Edwin R. Stucky Debate Enhancement Fund, administered by the McPherson County Community Foundation. The fund was established to support debate programs at McPherson County high schools and helped cover the costs of the camp, including instruction, food, and camp T-shirts.
“The support from MCCF and McPherson College has allowed us to offer a high-quality debate camp at no cost to students,” Schopper said. “These camps often run $1,000 minimum, and students simply can’t afford to go.”
Schopper also noted that the camp helps ensure debate programs throughout McPherson County continue to grow and thrive.
MCCF is proud to play a role in strengthening youth programs for students across the county. Through the support of the Edwin R. Stucky Debate Enhancement Fund, the community can help remove financial barriers and create more opportunities for students to participate in and grow through debate.