Debate tournaments provide one of only a few opportunities to catch some of the brightest students in Missouri speaking to blank walls. Though this common custom seems foolish, it is one of many exercises that debaters use to ensure excellence. When weeks of research and preparation comes down to one 45-90 minute evaluation, conversing with the walls may be the difference between a mental lapse and a perfect argument.

To outsiders, debate may appear to be an incredibly complex practice. In addition to the superior speaking skills, debaters must also be witty enough to argue both sides of a topic and dedicated enough to compile adequate research. And with topics ranging from global economics to military drone strikes, students may feel as though debate is only for the intellectually advanced. However, senior and four-year debater Brian Dufrenne stresses that brains are only part of what makes a debater successful.

“It helps to be knowledgeable of your topic,” Dufrenne said. “But dedication is all you need if you want to be successful.”

According to Dufrenne, simply gathering the information itself is an indicator of dedication. For the weeks prior to a tournament, class time in debate coach James Frazier’s room is devoted to brainstorming and researching via Internet, magazines, company reports and evidence assembled by universities. After collecting the information—information for both the affirmative and negative viewpoints of the topic—the debater must then take the time to arrange it logically in an argument and rehearse it until perfected.

And even when arguments are perfect, they still must be altered throughout a debate. Dufrenne notes that as debate tournaments progress, given that they can last as late as 11 o’clock on both Fridays and Saturdays, staying energized becomes increasingly more difficult.

“A lot of the time, [the winner of a debate] is not even the one who has the better argument,” Dufrenne said “It’s the one one who can keep up.”

Though all of this dedication and knowledge seems overwhelming, the Pattonville debate program does not seem to have any difficulties managing it. Despite the retirement of coach Randy Pierce after nearly 40 years of direction, both novice and veteran debaters are continuing to see success under Frazier. In only Frazier’s second year as coach, Pattonville has been distinguished by the National Forensic League (NFL) as one of the top 5 percent of debate programs nationwide.

On the award, Frazier said, “It was a continuation of a long tradition of distinction for Pattonville debate.”

As a mainstay for excellence at Pattonville, the debate program appears to be in good hands with leaders like Frazier and Dufrenne. And with plenty of novice debaters experiencing success this year, don’t be surprised if most of those bright students speaking to the walls come from Pattonville High School.