The Great Bend High School Panther Debate team launched its 2026–2027 season with a busy opening weekend, sending competitors to two tournaments designed to challenge debaters at different competitive levels. Novice students gained valuable experience at the Garden City “Angel on Your Shoulder” Novice Tournament, while more experienced competitors tested their skills at Sterling High School’s traditional competitive tournament.
With 25 students on the roster, including ten first-year debaters, the Panther Debate team is building on a foundation of both returning experience and new talent. Coach Pamela Williams emphasized the value of providing students with opportunities to develop their skills and gain confidence through competition. “Competition increases students' motivation & confidence in ways that classroom demonstrations are often not able to accomplish.
The national high school topic for the 2026-27 school year is: Resolved: The United States federal government should establish national health insurance in the United States. The topic is important and connects classroom learning to issues that affect families, communities, and the future of the country.
For students competing in their first season, the Garden City tournament offered an introduction to the structure and pace of competitive debate. Novice teams participated in five rounds, with the first two rounds featuring experienced helpers known as “Angels.” These students assisted with keeping debates organized, on track, and within the allotted time. Junior Caleb Tudor and sophomores Aubree Lewis and Nevaeh Nagel served as Angels.
Several Panther novices demonstrated strong early-season results. Evan Mason and Erick Gonzalez finished with three wins in five rounds. Brecklynn Carper, Persephenie Peschka, and Dorthy Tudor recorded a 4-1 win/loss record, and Toyosi Sodeke and Fernanda Rincon went undefeated. Although the tournament did not present sweepstakes awards, all of Great Bend’s teams received recognition for having a winning record. Even more significantly, the competition gave Great Bend’s beginning debaters an opportunity to apply their preparation and learn from live rounds.
The varsity and junior varsity debaters competing at Sterling faced a traditional tournament format, and the Panthers made an immediate impact. Great Bend finished 1st overall in sweepstakes, tied with McPherson.
Kendra Scheideman and Jaaziel Hernandez completed the tournament undefeated and captured the open division championship. The result marks the second consecutive year that Scheideman has been part of the 1st place team in the varsity division at Sterling. Parker Coleman and Ethan Harrington earned two wins in four rounds and finished 5th as a team.
In the Junior Varsity division, Sebastian Quezada and Tyler Scheuerman secured 2nd place with a three-win, one-loss record. Sophomores Aliza Belcher and Nova Brand also competed in the JV division, finishing with a 2-2 record.
Coach Williams noted that “It is always exciting to see the hard work and preparation the team has put in come to fruition on opening weekend.”
The Panther Debate team will continue its early-season schedule with the novice debaters traveling to Clay Center on Tuesday. Upcoming Saturday tournaments include competitions at Hays on September 26th and at Hoisington on October 3rd giving students continuing opportunities to sharpen their arguments, gain tournament experience, and prepare for the remainder of the season.