By The Talking Saints closed their debate year by winning the Western States Debate Championship, held at Lewis & Clark College on March 25-26.
Senior Hellie Badaruddin of Missoula and sophomore June LePage of Lewistown, Montana, defeated 50 teams from 11 states. Other finalists included Claremont College, the University of Denver and Northwest University.
“Hellie and June have finished second twice this year, so they deserved this in their last tournament together,” said coach Brent Northup. “Their delighted teammates cheered and mobbed them when the result was announced.”
First year debaters Charlie Said of Seattle and Catherine Dudley of Pendleton, Indiana, reached the championship round in the novice division.
For the three seniors competing, the tournament was a time for goodbyes and memories.
“Roisin (O’Neill, Lake Oswego) and Vinny (Gallardo, Butte) have been the most successful debate team in the region for two years. So they had a fairytale finish in mind to end their careers,” said Northup. “After prelims ended, and they knew their debating career was over, they went outside for some quiet time together. When they came back, they were the cheerleaders for our final teams. They were the first to congratulate Hellie and June. They have been supportive and unselfish all four years.”
The younger students seemed focused on their senior mentors doing well at their final tournament.
“This tournament was emotional because the seniors on the team that I have been looking up to had to give their last speeches,” said LePage. “Learning from Vinny and Roisin has taught me so much about life and debate.”
Carroll entered five teams, and some were a bit wispy and philosophical during the 13-hour van ride home.
“It’s sentimental to see my time on the team come to an end,” said Badaruddin. “The team has given me so many skills, memories, and friends. Roisin, Vicente, and I spent the weekend reflecting on how much fun we’ve had and how much we’ve grown in our time here.”
The first year students were grateful to compete against top teams, and took the hard knocks in stride.
Dudley said she was “very thankful for the opportunity to debate at such a high level.”
Her partner was encouraged, too.
“It was a real blessing to debate at a major tournament, and it brought a really satisfying end to the season,” said Said. “It was very special to be there with the seniors, and I’m excited to get back to work next year!”
The Western States Championship tournament was preceded by a special event at the Oregon State Penitentiary.
Teams of inmates, who had been trained by local debate coaches, competed against college teams. Sophomores Spencer McDonald of Missoula and June LePage represented Carroll in the event which was won by a team from Ireland, who visited Carroll for an exhibition on March 30.
At the prison event, debaters arrived at 6 a.m. After being cleared by security, they were escorted through the prison to an area where teams gathered. The students had lunch with the inmates, and engaged in conversations, although asking about why inmates were incarcerated was off-limits.
“I am so grateful for that opportunity,” said LePage. “Debating with a group of people so eager to interact with us and share their stories outside of rounds was fun and really educational. Debating about qualified immunity with people who are actively a part of the legal system has seriously changed how I approach talking about human experiences and perspectives.”
The seniors are now looking ahead.
O’Neill has been accepted to numerous law schools, and Gallardo is planning on staying in Helena and assisting the team before moving on.
Badaruddin, who spent her junior year in France, intends to put her international relations major to work.
“This summer, I’m headed to Nizwa, Oman, for a Critical Language Scholarship in Arabic,” said Badaruddin. “After that, I’m planning to go to grad school in the United Kingdom or Ireland to further my career in international development in Africa and the Middle East.”
Western States closed out the Carroll debate season.
Carroll was honored as the region’s top debate program and won Gold Medal Sweepstakes recognition, the 33rd consecutive year the team has won or shared the conference crown. Lewis & Clark and Boise State also received Division I gold medal awards.
