It’s 5 a.m. and the sun has barely risen. Crisp, bitter air hits the Debate team as they sluggishly climb onto the bus. Hopes of dominating in the next tournament serves as motivation for the team, who are now eagerly practicing their pieces and entering a state of focus. Instead of last year’s familiar routine of blazer on top and pajamas on the bottom, Debate must arrive early to tournaments and see competitors face-to-face.

“After a round you can’t just log off, you have to walk out with your partner,” Maddi Bell, senior, said. “You have to see your opponents as you’re walking out. You have to see the other teams and the cafeteria so it’s definitely been an adjustment, but it’s been really fun to hang out with my team in person.”

Three weeks ahead of State, Debate will be taking part in Fishers Forensic Festival Jan. 8. It’s closeness in time to State makes the tournament more significant. In addition, Debate will face teams from farther down state. These are the teams that will be possible competitors at State.

“At Fishers, my partner and I are hoping to try out some new affirmative cases that we’ve been thinking of working on over winter break,” Ajitesh Lalam, Policy Debate member and junior, said. “Testing them out at Fishers will be a good experiment to see the effectiveness of the cases and make any adjustments to them if necessary.”

Debate dedicates hours inside and outside of school to prepping their cases and re-examining every angle. Even though pressure is placed upon them to succeed and qualify for State and Nationals, members find that their work is worthwhile and pays off.

“It’s rewarding for what we’re able to accomplish and what the team has accomplished in the past years,” Keira Hawk, Congress member and senior, said. “A lot of the time I get tired out and it seems like a lot, but in the end, I know it’s worth it for how well we do.”