Middle School Public Debate Program

It might be another decade before they can run for political office, but the students of Moore County's post-millennial generation are learning to make their voices heard.

Students from Elise, Southern Middle, Highfalls, New Century, West Pine Middle and St. John Paul II Catholic School competed this past week in the annual middle school debate tournament co-sponsored by the Rotary Club of Pinehurst and Sandhills branch of the English-Speaking Union at Sandhills Community College.

Not only did the 84 participants have a lot to say about the assigned topic — the benefits and risks of genetically modified organisms — but in an open mic session before results were announced they dauntlessly took to the podium to tell the judges, volunteers and fellow students how they felt about the experience.

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