Masuk Free Press

With the end of the 2024 competition season, the Ethics Bowl club at Masuk is hopeful for next year. Not well known among the Masuk community, Ethics Bowl is similar to a debate club.

“We study 16 cases and create stances as a team,” said team leader Yara Shaik. “Although it is similar to debate, the teams at the competition can agree.” 

Full of intellectual conversations and quick thinking, the Ethics Bowl club is not something to be underestimated. 

“The most important thing for us to do is to study the cases,” said junior Taylor Brunelle. “It’s hard to form an argument if you aren’t completely aware of what you’re talking about.”

The competitions are structured in rounds where two teams go head to head. In each round a team is given a question and a case, and both teams have the opportunity to respond and answer questions from the judges. 

Notably, many different members stepped up this year to contribute to the club. 

“They’re all so great, I would definitely say Ariq [Rahman] and Yara as being the leaders of our team have been good role models for the rest of them, as one of our teams really was almost entirely sophomores,” said teacher advisor Megan Bartosik. “So the fact that they are able to look up to a junior and senior and learn from them.” 

Team leader Yara Shaik also applauded the skills of senior Alexander Malecki and sophomore Emily Barnhart, during this season.

Having made it to nationals last year, the team went into the season with high hopes. However the outcome was not as expected. 

“This year was a bit hectic, things didn’t go quite as smoothly as I had hoped,” said Brunelle.

 Despite this, the members of the club and their leaders are hopeful for improvement in the next season.

“Something we will try to improve on for next year is being able to explain our point of view a little more clearly,” said Bartosik. “And then make sure we can try thinking on the spot at a faster pace.”

With many different members stepping up and multiple accomplishments during the season, the team is still proud of their performance this year. And with a positive attitude and an open mind for growth, they are excited for the upcoming year.