Teams Compete in Collegiate Ethics Bowl Final

Two teams of Collegiate School seniors presented opposing positions to questions about real-world cases in this afternoon’s final of the 11th annual Ethics Bowl, held in the Craigie Board Room of Sharp Academic Commons. 
The students are members of the senior Capstone class, Ethics and the Engaged Citizen, which asks them the question, How can we best engage in thoughtful civic discourse and dialogue around some of the most challenging issues facing our society today?
 
The teams articulated and defended their positions on two cases (No. 1 and No. 15) compiled by the National High School Ethics Bowl. Unlike a traditional debate, the Ethics Bowl competition lies solely on how clearly and wisely a team can state its position. 
 
Three judges from the community were on hand to listen to the students, ask probing questions and tally their scores: Thomas Bannard from Virginia Commonwealth University; Dennis Williams from Albert Hill Middle School; and Catherine Hill from the Virginia Board of Bar Examiners. 
 
When the votes were counted, Team A emerged the winner and will compete at the Virginia High School Ethics Bowl on Dec. 7. The event is a qualifier for the National High School Ethics Bowl Championship, to be held at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in April 2020.
 
“Students want to talk about subjects that matter,” said Rhiannon Boyd, Upper School Capstone Coordinator, who teaches the class. “They leave this class and this event with the skill set to have conversation over disagreement and to seek clarity and understanding. They know that their voices are heard.”
 
 
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