The Maine West Debate Team is ready for this season's competition to begin debating the topic: "Resolved: Congress Should Establish a Compulsory Service for All U.S. Citizens."

Two years ago, when Mr. Merle Marine became sponsor, there were four members. This season the team has grown to 20 active members.

What is a debate team and what does it do? The debate team consists of three levels: novice, junior varsity, and var­sity. Mr. Douglas Blatt is the novice coach, and Mr. Marine coaches the varsity and junior varsity.

Tournaments are held each week, and each level is represented by a team which consists of two affirmative members and two negative members. There are four debates in each week's tournament. The various schools in the section take turns hosting the tournament. The first contest was held November 2 in which the novice team won second place.

The host school schedules the various teams so that each team debates against a different team from another school each round. Awards are granted for highest team scores and individual scoring points.

Three overnight trips are scheduled for this season, with the others being one day meets. On November 23‑24, the team will travel to Illinois State Uni­versity at Normal; Augustana College in Rock Island will be host on February 1‑2; and the Sectional will be held on March 29 at the Illinois High School Association meeting.

According to Mr. Marine, "The Maine West Debate Team competes in the toughest sectional in the state. The schools we debate with are usually the state winners. Even with such competition, Maine West holds its own, winning a majority of its debate rounds."

"Debate is a comparatively small organization," Mr. Marine said, "but we have a good team and are gaining in experience."

Mr. Marine continued, "We extend an invitation to anyone who is interested in debate to be a guest observer at a tournament. We would be happy to accept as new members of the team any students who have the time, ability, and the willingness to work."