The Maine West Debate Team won the Saint Patrick's High School Annual Debate Tournament on March 18, thus winning for Maine West first place in a major debate tournament for the first time.

Maine entered one team in the tournament. The negative squad of this team, composed of Jan Zabinski '70 and Karen Gatsis '70, won three rounds and lost only one. The affirmative squad, consisting of Mark Millonas '70 and Craig Dudczak '69, posted a record of four wins and no defeats. Maine therefore won the tournament with a score of seven wins and one loss.

To win this tournament Maine defeated such schools as Hinsdale Central, Thornton, Glenbrook South, Oak Park-River Forest, Waukegan, Willowbrook, and Lake Forest while losing only to Rich East. "Maine West's win," said Mr. Merel Marine, debate coach, "therefore was earned in competition with some of the most respected schools in Illinois debate competition."

Previous to the St. Pat's tournament Maine West competed against Maine East and South in the first annual interschool debate tournament. The tournament was held at Maine West on March 11.

The topic debated was "Resolved: That the foreign aid policy of the United States should be limited to non‑military assistance." This tournament is to be hosted at a different Maine high school every year.

Eight West students competed in this event. The first team affirmative was composed of Mark Millonas and Jan Zabinski. The first team negative members were Craig Dudczak and Karen Gatsis. The second team affirmative members were Mary Jo Gigante '70 and Beth Briskey '70, while the negative squad was made up of Kathy Wilken '70 and John Chips '69.

Despite the fact that Maine West debater, Craig Dudczak won first place as individual debater, Maine East won the tournament. This enabled Maine East to keep the traveling trophy for the following year. If Maine East repeats this feat next year, they will keep the trophy permanently.

"The purpose of this annual tournament," said Mr. Marine, "is to try to arouse more interest in debate within the Des Plaines and Park Ridge communities. It was decided that a tournament in the Maine High School district would be the manner in which to accomplish this.''

Mr. Marine is optimistic concerning Maine West's showing in future debates. "The Maine West Debate Team has good possibilities in future years."