The debate team came in fifth place in a tournament competing against 18 schools at Carl Sandburg High School on December 10. Out of 76 students Karen Gatsis '70 took fourth place in speaking. According to Mr. Merel Marine, the sponsor of debate, "Karen is one of the team's most promising debaters."

Mr. Marine feels that "All of the schools have good teams, but perhaps New Trier and Evanston, who are both noted for debate, will be the toughest competition for the Maine West debaters." The debaters have already lost to New Trier in a pratice round but have not as yet met them in a tournament.

"The debate team so far this year is a 50 per cent team," boasts Mr. Marine, meaning that they have won as many debates as they have lost. "In fact," he continued, "they have won more. I feel that for a new team this record is excellent and that they show much promise. They keep improving with every debate."

The debate team is planning an overnight trip for the weekend of January 6 to Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. The team's two most valuable squads, consisting of Karen Gatsis and Craig Dudzak '69 taking the negative stand, and Kathy Wilkins '67 and Mark Millonas '70 for the affirmative, will attend. At Carbondale the debaters will meet with many schools throughout the state and some from Mississippi and Kentucky.