While most students were still working summer jobs or hanging out at Dockton, the Vashon High School debate team returned to the classroom for a week-long camp.

For decades, VHS had a strong presence at debate tournaments around the region under head coach Jim Dorsey, regularly sending students to State and occasionally to Nationals. After his retirement in 2015, a variety of teachers worked to keep the team alive, but when the pandemic hit, the program fizzled.

The team was revitalized in 2023, and last year, nearly two dozen students competed in public speaking events and Lincoln-Douglas Debate. Collectively, the team competed in 200 debate rounds and maintained a winning record.

Individual students were recognized, with Emily Rock, now a junior, qualifying to compete at the State Tou

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