After years of repeated attempts, Scheck Hillel has finally introduced a new activity into its atmosphere: speech and debate. This was accomplished after United States history teacher Mr. Luke Schlehuber and junior Aaron L. collaborated to create a debate tournament open to all high school students. Working as a single-elimination bracket system, every team (consisting of two students) is paired up against another team. They are given the topic a few minutes before the debate with a position to take. The teams each give their remarks and rebuttals before the winning team is announced. The winners advance to the next round, while their opponents do not.
Aaron worked diligently alongside Mr. Schlehuber to put together Hillel’s first-ever debate tournament, operating from May 18-29, 2026. He was primarily in charge of arranging the forms, setting up the brackets, and speaking with prospective judges and faculty members. Aaron described his excitement and enthusiasm for this debate tournament, and his hopes for its future at Hillel, saying that seeing the students grow, learn, and enjoy debate “transformed work, planning, and management into life, smiles, and a crucial education.”
“Mr. Schlehuber hugely prioritizes this debate, and if not more than surely no less than myself, and I should give him my utmost gratitude, appreciation, and credit, because he is the main reason why such a wonderful opportunity was extended to so many students,” he said.
This debate tournament has shown itself to have grown into more than just a competition of wits and fast conversation, allowing anyone who wants to gain valuable skills, grow their confidence, and become more comfortable with public speaking. It also does not require an application; any Hillel student between grades 9-12 can enter this competition. Students are not required to already have the skills coming in, rather, it creates an environment that allows the students to learn them. It creates an opportunity for people who have never spoken in front of others or feel uncomfortable doing so to step out of their comfort zone. This opportunity is all a testament to the diligent work of Mr. Schlehuber and Aaron L., since this would not have been possible without them.
