Litchfield Prevention Council Supports the Lakeview High Debate Club
In a time when public debate often feels increasingly polarized, a group of Lakeview High School students is working to bring thoughtful, respectful dialogue back to the table. The Lakeview Debate Club—originally sparked by an idea in a sophomore English class—has grown into a thriving 19-member organization preparing for its first official competitive season this fall.
To help the club establish its footing and expand its reach, the Litchfield Prevention Council is proud to support these young leaders with a $1,000 startup grant. Additionally, the club secured a $500 grant from Litchfield Health & Wellness Resources.
Tackling Real-World Issues Through Healthy Debate
Rather than leaning into heated political divides, the club focuses on building critical thinking and problem-solving skills by tackling nuanced, real-world topics.
As part of the grant initiative with the Prevention Council, the club hosted a debate near the end of the last school year centered on youth gambling prevention. Students examined the topic from multiple angles, discussing which high school courses best equip students to recognize and avoid gambling risks, and debating how Lakeview High School can proactively address the issue.
“I believe that the AP Psychology class offered by Lakeview High School is the best way to prevent students from gambling or any sort of addiction,” one team member said in opening the debate. “Students are exposed to learning about mental and behavioral processes, which can reveal what traits make people successful and unsuccessful.”
Another club member responded by pointing to broader access: “Even though AP Psychology exposes students to those mental processes, classes like Health A and Wellness B are required in a high school student’s curriculum. This means everybody is able to access resources, learn about addiction, share opinions, understand the dangers, and see the negative effects.”
One of the defining features of debate is that participants don’t always choose their stance; they must prepare to argue both sides of an issue. This practice encourages students to recognize the strengths and weaknesses of their own viewpoints while learning to respect alternative perspectives.
“In our nation, civil discourse has gotten to a dangerous point,” club member AJ Ugurlu said in a phone conversation about the Lakeview Debate Club. “A lot of people are relying on fallacies and exaggerations. Debate offers a unique perspective… there shouldn’t be an argument that’s inherently treated as more valid without sound reasoning.”
Looking Ahead to the Fall Season
Under the guidance of AP Language teacher Karen Robillard and supported by local mentor figures like Debbie Dove from Litchfield Health & Wellness Resources, the club operates with a collaborative structure rather than traditional officer roles.
Thanks to the combined community funding, the team is now officially joining the Connecticut Debate Association. Their schedule for the upcoming school year includes:
- September: First learning debate and workshop sessions.
- October: The official launch of their competitive tournament season.
With current sophomores already preparing to recruit incoming freshmen, the Lakeview Debate Club is built for long-term sustainability. The Litchfield Prevention Council looks forward to maintaining an active partnership with the team as they report on their progress and continue setting an example for civil, constructive discourse in our schools.
About Lakeview High School & Region 20
Lakeview High School serves as the regional high school for Regional School District 20, a unified district established by the merger of Litchfield Public Schools and Regional School District 6 (serving Goshen, Morris, and Warren). Serving students across all four member towns, Lakeview High School offers expanded academic, athletic, and extracurricular opportunities designed to empower students and foster strong community ties across the region.
About the Litchfield Prevention Council
The Litchfield Prevention Council is a community-driven organization dedicated to promoting healthy choices, substance abuse awareness, and positive youth development across our local schools and towns. Through grant funding, educational programming, and active partnerships with local leaders and student groups, the Council works to equip young people with the tools, support, and resources they need to make informed, constructive decisions.
To learn more about the Litchfield Prevention Council and its work, reach out to Chair Gary Waugh by email at info@litchfieldprevention.org
