Calhoun High School's debate team has won the AA State Championship for 2008-2009. This weekend the two top Calhoun teams competed at the GHSA State tournament, held at Pace Academy in Atlanta. The Calhoun teams combined for a 9-3 record against other finalists from single-A through triple-A schools, which gave them the AA division title. 
      Joe Bearden and Kate Leggett defended the negative side of the topic "Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially increase alternative energy incentives in the United States. Ben Jordon and Kaitlin DeFoor took the affirmative side, advocating a plan which would cut government subsidies to big oil companies. 
      "I couldn't be prouder of the team," said Calhoun's Debate coach Lane Bearden. "Each of these students is a real success story in their own right - and they combined for a remarkable effort at the tournament." 
      Joe Bearden was named second negative individual speaker in the A-AA-AAA division, Leggett, who is only a freshman, was Fourth. On the affirmative side, Ben Jordon took fifth speaker, Kaitlin DeFoor was fourth.
      The four competing speakers thanked their freshman teammate Lloyd Bearden, who authored two of the winning arguments for the team, and scouted and reported on their opponents' rounds. They thanked their other teammates who stayed at home, but sent in research to the tournament via the internet: Thomas Kendrick, Lauren Bledsoe, Kenia Delgado and Krystal Funes. "It is an honor to be able to observe these young men and women carry on the tradition of over sixty years of success by Calhoun in interscholastic debate," said Coach Bearden. "We couldn't have done this without the constant support of Superintendent Taylor and the City Board of Education, and the encouragement of Principal Westmoreland, and the faculty and staff of the school." he added.   
      This is Calhoun's first State Debate Championship since 1982, when Lynn Bearden and Laura Dobson brought home the title for Calhoun Coach Sandra Worthington Silvers.
Pictured from GHSA State tournament held at Pace Academy, February 6-7; Front: KaitlinDeFoor (second affirmative), Kate Leggett (first negative), rear: Lloyd Bearden (scout and researcher), Ben Jordon (first affirmative), Joe Bearden (second negative). Team members not pictured: Thomas Kendrick, Lauren Bledsoe, Kenia Delgado and Krystal Funes