The GBS Political Debate and Consensus Club (PDC) will be brand new to this school year. The premise of the club will be to debate about various controversial issues with the hopes of coming to a consensus.

Rita Guritz, advisor of the PDC along with Bill Hiles, said, “It all started out when a student, Brendan Colgan, came to me last year and had noticed the lack of compromise by Congress after the stalemate, and he wanted to start a group at school that would work to find consensus in a productive and logical way.”

Once a month, the executive officers of the club will come up with a topic that the members of the club will research in order to debate. Guritz added, “The most important thing is that at the end of the meeting, the group has to reach a consensus. They can’t just leave. I think it’s a good life skill that we will need for our future leaders.”

The first meeting’s topic has been on the NFL’s social policy. They will be discussing the recent domestic abuse and the controversies over mascots such as the Redskins. Guritz said, “The executive board of the PDC will come up with good sources to help the students on this debate.”

When asked what type of students might find this club interesting, Mrs. Guritz said, “I brought it to my Government and APUSH students who were very excited about it. But, anyone who wants to learn how to debate and wants to get better with working with other people whose views may be different would love it. This is a wonderful way for students to learn that skill without being graded. It is a good non-threatening way to learn.”

Furthermore, everyone is welcome to come. The PDC will meet once a month on Wednesdays after school, and Guritz said, “I hope the word gets out that this is a fun club, but offering food will definitely help draw in some students. You have to feel like you are getting something out of it.”

Sydney Yangas