For the first time in Point Loma High School (PLHS) history, students have a club that is a matter of debate. The PLHS Debate Society started in the fall and is currently preparing to compete next year in the Imperial Valley Speech League. “It’s a wonderful thing,” said Tchaiko Kwayana, PLHS English teacher and the club’s advisor. “This is a foundation club. It will be the first [such] club here and these youngsters will be founding members.” PLHS sophomore Victoria Gonzalez had the idea of starting a debate team when she first came to the school. Now serving as the club’s president, Gonzalez got it started with the help of one of her teachers. “I thought it would be really fun and good for the school,” Gonzalez said. “I looked it up and talked to the teacher and we just started it from there. We got some people to come and we assigned people different jobs for the team.” The club has nine members and is challenged with recruiting new members and spreading the word around campus. Gonzalez said raising money so the team can attend tournaments and other competitions in the area is another focus of the club. “A big challenge is getting people to sign up for it and just putting it out there for everyone to see and getting everyone to come,” Gonzalez said. Kwayana said debate is a profound academic tool. In the future, she hopes to see debate curriculum at PLHS. “This requires youngsters to go and look at the world of information, sort it out, analyze it and be ready to in some way explore it and use it in arguments,” Kwayana said. “It’s a powerful academic tool.” The PLHS Debate Society meets Mondays at lunch. At these meetings, students in the club watch movies, read about debating and occasionally have guest speakers. “It helps with school and how to learn,” Gonzalez said. “It also just really helps with everyday life — just trying to get your point across. If you believe in something and you’re passionate about it, then you’ll get your argument through.” For more information or volunteer opportunities with the club, call (619) 223-3121, ext. 4300, or e-mail [email protected]. Point Loma High is online at www.pointlomahigh.com.