Guilford, Jefferson and Roosevelt prevail in third annual Truth Talk debate

From press release

Guilford High School emerged as the highest-scoring of six teams representing each of Rockford’s public high schools in the third annual Truth Talk Debate Feb. 27 at Heartland Community Church.

The local chapter of the Phi Beta Sigma fraternity sponsors the debate as a way to observe Black History Month and stimulate conversation on race and politics.

Roosevelt High School and the Academic Career Education High School faced off over the question: “Has Barack Obama’s race been a factor in the health care debate?” In the first round of the two-hour program, Roosevelt earned 32 points to 24 points for ACE.

Jefferson High School eked out a 31-29 win over Auburn High School in the second-round question: “Will government-subsidized health care benefit America overall?”

In the only competition in which both teams argued the same side of the issue, Guilford scored 36 points over East High School with a score of 31. Both teams disputed the question: “Are law enforcement officials ever justified in using racial profiling?”

“Each of the speakers presented well-thought arguments and delivered them convincingly,” Superintendent LaVonne M. Sheffield said. “It was a fierce competition all the way around, and everyone was a victor in the end.”