East African Magnet School takes top honors in middle school debate competition

In the first year of competing in East African Debate, sponsored by the Minnesota Urban Debate League (MNUDL), the East African Magnet School (EAMS) Debate Team was named the middle school sweepstakes champion. Debate team members received this honor by earning points at three debate tournaments held this winter.

The EAMS team competed against a team from Capitol Hill Gifted & Talented Magnet School and middle school teams from Minneapolis Public Schools. Mr. Evan, an experienced debate judge, said he noticed changes in the EAMS team throughout the season.

"When I judged at the first tournament in Edison High School in December, it was clear to me that a lot of the debaters were doing this for the first time,” he said. “They had a lot of heart but were still getting used to being confident and defending their ideas with evidence and explanation.

“By the third tournament, I was so impressed that over just two months they had learned so much of the evidence and were extremely confident on both sides of the debate.”

EAMS Principal Dr. Abdisalam Adam said the entire school community is proud of the 6th grade students’ success.

“The team won the trophy through hard work and determination,” Dr. Adam said. “More importantly, our scholars learned life skills that will inspire them to become public speakers and professionals in different fields. Way to go, Giraffes!”