“The way a man talks reveals his character.” In Latin, that translates to “qualis vir, talis oratio,” which one competitive team of teens has adopted as their motto, although for simplicity, they simply call themselves QTO.

The teens were part of a group of 89 home schooled students from around Ohio, representing 26 different debate teams, who gathered at Valley View Church in Sugarcreek on March 11 and 12 for a Christian Communicators of Ohio (CCO) speech and debate tournament.

For months prior to the tournament season, teams diligently researched the topic for the year, keeping all of their results in hefty boxes that they lug to the events. All contents are kept a closely guarded secret from other teams. This year’s topic is “to resolve that the United States federal government should substantially reform its trade policies with China and/or India.”

“Our trade with China is affecting the United States. If we have bad trade with China, it can result in trade wars and many different things that are not good for the U.S., and cost U.S. jobs,” explained 15-year-old James Stockdale of Bolivar, who is part of the QTO team. He went on to explain some of the issues associated with trade that the students have been researching. “Currency manipulation is when China is lowering their currency, so that it is lower than the U.S. dollar, then they can afford to pay their workers a whole lot less. They can then send products cheaper to the U.S., through discount stores, and compete with U.S. workers. It is running U.S. companies out of business.”

Stockdale’s mother, Kathy, has witnessed all four of her sons compete in the statewide speech and debate tournaments, and is delighted with the results of that participation.

“I am seeing in my sons that they are developing communication skills, but also that they are developing critical thinking skills, which are so very important in today’s environment. It’s hard to find areas to practice critical thinking for students. This is a fun way for them to practice, and they really enjoy being motivated to compete. There is a social element that they enjoy, but it motivates them to do the hard work of researching, which takes hours and hours. This is done beyond the regular school load,” said Kathy Stockdale.

“I have two sons who have been through the program who are using these skills both in college and in the workforce,” she continued. “In the past, they have covered such issues as tax codes, U.S. protectorates, and agriculture issues. The most important thing is that the kids are learning how to express their ideas in a rational way, and how to use their brains, to be able to disagree in thoughtful, logical ways. You can use that in all areas of life.”

The QTO team meets in Bolivar weekly for practices, and coach Stacy Hamsher, herself a former debater and forensic competitor, volunteers her time to work with the young people.

“I love watching them grow from year to year as they develop argumentation, and better speaking and communication abilities. I’ve seen some graduate, and go on to missions, ministry, and other successful careers,” said Hamsher.

Leah Zambie, 22, served as a volunteer judge for the tournament.

“I competed during my high school years, and now I am a nursing student at Kent State Tuscarawas, graduating in May. Speech and debate helped me tremendously, helping me to become more disciplined in my studies, taught me to be more self-motivated and organized, and taught me to think about things and always question not just the argument, but the backing for it,” said Zambie. “I use that to this day, all the time. I gained many critical thinking skills, which are important in nursing. I would say that being in speech and debate is one of the most life changing things I have done.”