Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially increase its economic and/or diplomatic engagement with the People’s Republic of China.

This is the resolution that has been debated and researched by high school debate squads all across Kansas from the beginning of the debate season in the fall up until the KSHSAA 6A state debate tournament at the end of January.

On Jan. 3, Lawrence High School hosted the 6A regional debate tournament, where this year’s resolution was debated by a number of teams from six different schools, the top three qualifying for state.

Senior Bridget Smith with senior Apramay Mishra, and senior Sungho Hwang with senior Bryce Dunn were designated to debate on the affirmative side in support of the resolution, while juniors Claire Walther and Chisato Kimura were tasked with debating on the negative side.

With a collective record of 6-2, the Lions won 1st place at the tournament, qualifying them for state.

Mishra was content with the win.

“It was a great feeling at the end, and the experience of debating at regionals because it is a different atmosphere with the judges,” he said. “You can tell you’re in the postseason of debate because everybody brought their better teams.”

Junior Claire Walther enjoyed the slower pace of debate.

“I think the change of pace was nice,” she said. “It was slower debate, we got to have a little more fun with it.”

LHS has been successful in their past two debate seasons. This year, the squad has a total of 49 medals with the KSHSAA 6A state tournament still in their sights this Friday Saturday at Blue Valley Southwest.

The debate team is also hopeful with their up and coming freshman novice debaters.

“The last two years we’ve really taken a big step forward,” debate coach Jeff Plinsky said. “We’re really excited about this year’s novices who are just getting into debate for the first time. They have had a lot of success this year so we think we’re well positioned to do well in the out years as well.”