Senior to
LAURA SELLINGER
News Writer
Notre Dame senior and Speech and Debate team member Will McDonald was selected as one of the top three debaters in the nation during the mid-semester break.
Each year at the National Parliamentary Debate Association Championship in Denver, Co., three American debaters are chosen to compete against the national champions from Ireland.
"The selection is a very competitive and prestigious honor. Each candidate must be nominated, fill out an application and submit letters of recommendation," said Kate Huetteman, 2001 Notre Dame graduate, first year law student and debate coach. "Six finalists are then chosen from this group and are interviewed by telephone — and the final three are selected."
The Irish Times sponsors the Irish team's trip to the United States for the debate, and it is considered to be one of the highest honors a collegiate debater can receive. This year, McDonald was one of the three Americans chosen to compete against the Irish.
"I was really excited when Will received the nomination. Typically, the Irish are very difficult to compete against because they have a different kind of witty humor that is unique and entertaining to the audience. I know he will do great, though, because he is a funny guy," said Huetteman.
McDonald has been competing for seven years — three years in high school and each year at Notre Dame.
"In my past four years at Notre Dame, I have learned a lot about how to work with others on a team, help others to win, think critically and speak on my feet," said McDonald.
In addition, McDonald expressed his feelings towards a sport that he enjoys participating in and that has significantly affected him.
"I am becoming very sentimental as my career here is ending. I am excited for the competition, but it is also bittersweet. Notre Dame is one of the best teams in the country and it is exciting to have watched it grow over the past four years," said McDonald.
McDonald said that for him, it has been the journey and not the destination that is most important to him.
"I'm a little nervous for the Irish competition, but even if we don't win, I'll be happy leaving the sport knowing I had fun and made it this far," said McDonald.
As an exhibition event, the debate team will participate Friday at a banquet at the Tech Center Hyatt that will kick off the weekend activities. Topics of debate range from international human rights and American foreign policy to peace issues and the war on terrorism.
McDonald will also compete in the National Tournament debates on Saturday and Sunday.
All News Stories for Thursday, March 21, 2002
