Monday, November 09, 2009 at 9:29 p.m.
Read more: Local, Debate, Ottumwa, High School, Rhetoric, Contest, International, United Nations
OTTUMWA, IA -- Ottumwa High School's debate team kicked off its season Monday with its sites set on a trip to a national event.
Poverty and climate change were the topics of discussion.
Ottumwa's two teams each debated over which issue the United Nations should focus on if it could only choose one.
The school videotaped tonight's events and will submit the debate to the United Nations foundation.
Ottumwa will compete with students from all over the world for grants and a trip to the u-n leadership summit.
“We're one of the teams participating in the debate. I'm sure there are debates nationwide, possibly internationally, that are trying to go to United Nations,” explained Junior Debater Ontorio Drayton.
The teams earn points toward the national event by hosting local debates and inviting public figures, such as elected officials, to the events.
“This is actually the first debate that we have. It's one task we have to complete to go on to the next thing, which we do get to go to United Nations if we get enough points,” said Senior Marshall Bohlmann.
In the summer of 2008, Ottumwa was one of ten high schools who won a trip to the United Nations Summit.
