Students try hand at debates

More than 550 high school students from all across Iowa are using their minds and mouths in an Iowa City competition today. The state speech tournament is underway in two categories — the first is in policy debates.Dr. David Hingstman is director of the University of Iowa’s speech program & coordinates the state tournament. He says students will also face off in heated head-to-head debates about values and matters of public policy. Hingstman says learning to debate makes better adults of the students.While many people may attribute this style of arguing to only breeding attorneys, Hingstman says all sorts of professions can be enhanced by these skills.The tournament has gathered students from 45 Iowa high schools and the competition will conclude tomorrow.