COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- At Palmer High School Tuesday, sophomores Ryan Dewey and Ray Grossman researched policy debate.

Members of the forensics or speech team, the two were preparing to go to nationals.

"Nationals is from the National Forensics League, or the NFL. It is that organization that holds regional competitions across the United States. We were able to go to that competition and we were able to do well and qualify and be invited to the national competition," Palmer forensics coach Michael Chamberlin said.

He said Dewey and Grossman are the only two District 11 students who qualified for nationals.

With one month until the competition they must now prepare for the big event.

"The event that they work at or have done all season is called policy debate, and policy debate basically has one topic they cover all year, debating on both sides of the issue, and they basically debate whatever side of the issue they pick," Chamberlin said.

Dewey and Grossman said their topic for nationals is alternative energy. They said they have done a lot of research to prepare for the competition.

The two said they are excited for their trip.

"I am personally looking forward to it. It is going to be a blast -- not just to go and enjoy myself but to learn more about my event," Dewey said.

"It sounds like a lot of fun and it will be engaging to debate some of the best debaters across the country," Grossman said.

Tto donate money towards the team's trip, e-mail Coach Chamberlin at chambms@d11.org

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