Nerve-wracking. That’s how Emma Laliberte recalls her first few times dabbling in the world of academic debating. ADVERTISING Nerve-wracking. That’s how Emma Laliberte recalls her first few times dabbling in the world of academic debating. “I’d get up there, and
Nerve-wracking. That’s how Emma Laliberte recalls her first few times dabbling in the world of academic debating.
“I’d get up there, and my hands would be shaking,” Emma, a Hilo High School sophomore, recalls. “My face would turn red, and I’d have a hard time talking.”
That was just a few months ago, shortly after Emma, 15, joined Hilo High’s debate club. The club formed this school year and organizers say it’s the only speech or debate program offered at a public school on Hawaii Island.
Despite its greenness and relatively small size — there were six members this year — Emma and fellow club member Bryn Wilcox, 15, competed April 8 at the Hawaii Speech League’s statewide Hawaii State Forensic Championships on Oahu.
Bryn and Emma verbally sparred against 18 other teams that competed in 16 speech and debate events. The duo said they were thrilled to even qualify — Hilo High was the only public school from Hawaii Island represented at the event.
They were even more floored when they received a first-place award in the competition’s Beginning Public Forum debate category. The students said they received a standing ovation from attendees and well-wishes from several other teams.
“It was a shock, I’d say,” Bryn said. “There were so many people who came up and were like, ‘The girls from Hilo — congratulations.’ It was a shock to our systems. But it was a pretty awesome feeling.”
The club now wants to use its big win to help foster interest in the club for next school year. Bryn and Emma say forensics — the term for academic debating — helped them polish their public speaking skills, develop confidence and become versed in a variety of weighty topics — military spending and the Electoral College, to name a few.
The team thinks Parker School, a private school in Waimea, is the only other school on the island with a speech or debate program.
“(Big Island students) deserve these opportunities,” said Liz Laliberte, club faculty adviser. “We really want to open it up to all the kids here.”
Liz Laliberte and her husband, Greg Laliberte, who is team coach, say expanding Hilo’s program, which meets as an after-school club, requires additional funding. Most competitions during the year take place on Oahu and the club needs money for travel.
The Lalibertes are mulling ways to raise funds for next year. They plan to solicit sponsorship donations from local law firms and businesses. They’re also looking at ways to recruit incoming Hilo Intermediate School students.
“We have a lot of talent at Hilo High,” Greg Laliberte said. “We are going to build on this momentum.”
Those interested in the team can contact Greg Laliberte at Hilospeechanddebate@gmail.com.
Email Kirsten Johnson at kjohnson@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
