Public high school debates set for Feb. 26 at Heartland

From press release

The Fourth Annual Truth Talk Debate, which features teams from each of Rockford’s six public high schools, takes place from 10 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Feb. 26, at Heartland Community Church, 1280 S. Alpine Road.

The debates, sponsored by the Nu Pi Sigma Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., began as a way to observe Black History Month. Although this year’s debate questions don’t focus on racial issues as they have in the past, the event continues to celebrate student success, honor the tradition of debate and provide thought-provoking dialogue on contemporary issues.

Student teams spend weeks preparing arguments and rebuttals for the debate. This year’s questions are:

• Should students be guaranteed a free education?

• Do violent video games lead to increased violence in children?

• Have schools done enough to eradicate bullying?

Truth Talk IV is free and open to the public, partly through the generosity of Heartland Community Church. Superintendent LaVonne M. Sheffield serves as emcee for the competition between the six high schools: Auburn, East, Guilford, Jefferson, Roosevelt and ACE (Academic Career Education).

From the Feb. 23-March 1, 2011, issue