In the competitive realm of high school debate, the Windward High School debate team is a rising juggernaut.

Carter Mitchell (‘25) and Teddy Sipkins (‘25) are the 20th ranked parliamentary team in the nation. They exemplify the commitment and skill that has become synonymous with Windward’s debate team.

Debate serves as a tool for honing essential life skills. Windward’s debate program emphasizes not just the art of argumentation but also instills the ability to dissect specific subpoints, encouraging students to explore multiple perspectives.

Mitchell said that the invaluable lessons of debate extend beyond the competitive arena, proving especially beneficial for future careers.

“Yeah, debate definitely gives you the tools to be successful in a lot of professions, especially law,” Mitchell told us.

A factor in the team’s success is the unwavering support from Windward teachers and debate coaches. The school acknowledges the significance of tournaments, and teachers graciously allow students to miss school for these events. The debate coaches, in turn, strike a delicate balance between extracurricular activities and debate, ensuring that students can excel in both.

“Debate definitely gives you the tools to be successful in a lot of professions, especially law.”

—Carter Mitchell (’25)

At the helm of Windward Debate is Hatim Malek. A former high school and college debater himself (at UCLA), Hatim is a history teacher at Windward. He carries over the managerial skills necessary to be a teacher into the debate realm, and as the head coach he has been instrumental in propelling students to the next level of competition.

“I am really appreciative of all the effort that Hatim has put into the debate program, and I feel like he has definitely offered high level coaching that has made our team successful,” Mitchell said.

What truly distinguishes Windward’s debate team is its camaraderie. The team collaborates tirelessly to compile cases and evidence, fostering a spirit of unity and shared purpose. This collaborative ethos extends beyond the debate room, bringing together students from diverse niches within the school who might not interact otherwise.

For these debaters, winning an argument is a systematic process. They break down arguments into pros and cons, master the art of refutations, and ensure there’s a compelling impact for every argument presented. Their approach reflects the depth of critical thinking instilled by the Windward debate program.

The Windward Debate team. Photo by David Estrada.

Yet, not every round is smooth sailing. Mitchell recalled her toughest challenge yet in debate—arguing against her personal beliefs regarding Kamala Harris’s vice-presidential appointment and having to contend that she was a poor candidate. To be successful, Carter and Teddy were forced to look at the issue at hand from a different perspective.

It was also a lesson in navigating biased judgments, as they discovered that judges don’t always approach rounds with a tabula rasa and instead may be swayed by personal beliefs when choosing a winner (which is what happened to Carter and Teddy who lost this particular round).

“It was a hard round to lose,” Mitchell remarked.

Still, Carter made clear that these tough rounds are learning experiences that are ultimately beneficial.