BY ANDY TAYLOR
Montgomery County Chronicle

The largest-ever class of debaters fills the Caney Valley High School roster for the 2008 season.

Amber Toth, debate instructor, said this year’s debate program has 36 total debaters, more than half of whom are new to the program.

“We had to split our program into two class times to accommodate the number of debaters,” said Toth. “I think that says something about our program.”

The debaters currently are preparing their cases and arguments concerning the 2008 national debate topic, which is: “Resolved: that the United States federal government should substantially increase alternative energy incentives in the U.S.”

Toth said the debate resolution was among the broadest topics in recent memory — encompassing a myriad of subjects, ranging from global warming to oil and gas exploration to reduction of methane produced in livestock feedlots.

Debaters will attend their first tournament of  the season on Saturday, Sept. 20 in Independence.

Three members of the Bullpup debate program participated in summer camps in Kansas. C.J. Brown attended the Blue Dragon Institute at Hutchinson Community College, and Casey McCammon and Bruce Williams took part in the Heart of America Camp a Kansas Wesleyan University in Salina, Kan. At the Heart of America Camp, Williams earned the distinction of producing the most cards — that is, the most documented evidence — among all campers. McCammon also was offered a $17,000 college scholarship at Kansas Wesleyan University because of his participation and accomplishments in public speaking during his high school career.

Among the experienced debaters in this year’s program are C.J. Brown, Brandon Blagg, Trevor Buster, Bruce Williams, Holly Barks, Corey Matthews, Sean Mellen, Casey McCammon, Caleb McIntosh and Stefania Salazar.

First-year debaters include Scarlett Simpler, Phillip Nelson, Dustin Mullinax, Eric Mason, Abby Hannigan, Rainey Hall, Gage Griffin, Megan Evans, Luke DeWitt, Chase Brake, Alex Taylor, Tyler Wood, Amber Benning, Kayla Clapp, Ben Crossman, Rachel Estes, Josh Fletcher, Kurt Lockwood, Sarah Nelson, Travis Post, Jessica Wells, Jonathan Williams, Cessalie Wood and Tyler Wyant.