Cooper freshman debater loves a good argument, and is good at it

Fifteen-year-old David Necas used to be reluctant to give presentations in class.

But since the ninth-grader joined the speech and debate team last fall at Robbinsdale Cooper High School, that has changed in a big way.

"I can speak confidently about anything, even if I'm not an expert on the subject," he said. "I can stand up there and sound like I know what I'm talking about."

Necas has discovered a passion for debate and has excelled: In his first year, he has qualified for the 2015 National Speech & Debate Association National Tournament in Dallas in June. It's the first time the district has sent a ninth-grader to the tournament, which bills itself as the world's largest academic competition for middle- and high-school students.

Necas and seven other Minnesota students will participate in the Lincoln-Douglas-style debate category, which features one-on-one contests.

Currently, the speech season is underway, and Necas is focusing on extemporaneous speaking. Last week, he talked to us about what he gets out of speech and debate, along with what got him started.

Q: Where do you think your debating abilities come from?

These are usually just five-minute spats, but they allow me to practice my skills in coming up with arguments right then and there, without doing any preparation. That's extremely important in debate. You have to think on your feet.

Q: How did you gravitate to the Lincoln-Douglas style of debate?

A: … my coaches said it was the most fun and the best way to debate. Since I had zero debate experience, I followed my coaches' advice. Now, after seeing and experiencing the other methods, I wholeheartedly agree.

Some of the other styles, like the congressional style, don't involve a lot of clash or argument. You don't speak directly to someone. It's like how Congress works, and nothing ever gets done.

The Lincoln style is a lot more analytical. You have to be persuasive. You have to outmaneuver your opponent. It's more like how I think, how I would have a debate if it were left up to me. It's just yourself and one other person.

Q: In what ways has debate affected you, maybe outside of the competitions?

A: Before this year, I actually hated speaking in front of people I did not know, so my ability to speak comfortably in front of others is completely new.

Looking back, I don't see much connection between myself and who I was a year ago. Starting high school, there have been a lot of changes. Debate is a part of that, too. It has helped me grow my interest in public speaking. I've been exposed to new ideas, and I've met people, too.

It helps in school presentations, of course. I didn't used to like having to go first in class, but now if I do have to, I'm totally fine with that.

I can also use it for the rest of my life. In a job, it'll help with presentations. If I'm a manager, it means I'll have to deal with people. I'm looking at careers in science or finance. I enjoy math and writing, too. Anything I do, debate is preparing me for it because it's applicable.

Q: How does debate affect your views on things?

A: The most important thing I get out of debate is the ability to see both sides of every argument. This helps me interact with people as do the speaking skills.

… Sometimes [debate] makes me question what I believe and other times it reinforces it. Anytime I read about politics, I can see that debate has helped me to see other views on things. It helps in everyday situations, too. I can talk to people I disagree with without getting mad or worked up.

Q: What makes debate so fun for you?

A: The thing I enjoy most is the challenge. Each round requires strategy and new arguments, and this is amazingly fun for me.

Q: Do you have a favorite piece or argument?

A: One of my cases for our last topic about a living wage. I argued that you have to value morality. By implementing a living wage, that means people can live on that and they aren't just mere means to the employer's profit ends.

It was a well-written case with a lot of clear links or steps in the argument. I did a lot of research and reading for it. A lot of my opponents had trouble arguing against it. I cannot claim full credit though. One of my coaches, Andrew Urevig, edited it and suggested new ideas to make it better.

Q: What was that final round like? Were you nervous?

A: Before the end of the national qualifier, I was nervous. But then once I got into the round, I wasn't anymore. I just knew I had to debate to the best of my abilities and if I did that, I would qualify. It's kind of interesting. Once I get up and start to talk, everything else falls away and it's just me debating. I forget about everything else. It's just me, my opponent and the judge.

Q: Has there been anything surprising or unexpected along the way?

A: One thing that always surprises me is about the sheer volume of ideas. At every tournament, you're guaranteed that someone will come up with a new way of looking at something. There are so many different ways of looking at every single piece of information.

Q: Do you have any specific goals for debate, going forward?

A: My only real goal is to debate the best I possibly can. It's the thing that makes me happy. It doesn't matter if I lost if I debated the best I could. I have to believe in myself and focus on being the best that I can.