Debate at TJ

[Anonymous]

Can Freshman join debate? Or is this one of the clubs where compete for spots and most if not all are reserved for juniors or seniors? Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can Freshman join debate? Or is this one of the clubs where compete for spots and most if not all are reserved for juniors or seniors? Thanks!

All clubs like that are competitive so most likely a freshman won't get a spot

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can Freshman join debate? Or is this one of the clubs where compete for spots and most if not all are reserved for juniors or seniors? Thanks!

All clubs like that are competitive so most likely a freshman won't get a spot

That’s far from reality. TJ clubs are built on recognizing and respecting excellence, regardless of a student's grade level. Any freshman is welcome to join a club like debate and learn from upperclassmen who themselves started as beginners and honed their skills over time. But if a freshman comes in with exceptional talent—skills that even upperclassmen can learn from—TJ stands out among FCPS schools as the place where that student will be recognized and given meaningful responsibility. Fortunately, TJ still practices a culture that values merit over seniority.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can Freshman join debate? Or is this one of the clubs where compete for spots and most if not all are reserved for juniors or seniors? Thanks!

All clubs like that are competitive so most likely a freshman won't get a spot

That’s far from reality. TJ clubs are built on recognizing and respecting excellence, regardless of a student's grade level. Any freshman is welcome to join a club like debate and learn from upperclassmen who themselves started as beginners and honed their skills over time. But if a freshman comes in with exceptional talent—skills that even upperclassmen can learn from—TJ stands out among FCPS schools as the place where that student will be recognized and given meaningful responsibility. Fortunately, TJ still practices a culture that values merit over seniority.

Yes, that's true, but it's still very unlikely that a freshman would be more skilled than upperclassmen. Realize that some of TJs activities are stacked with many very talented people. It's not like you walk in and you're on the team.

[Anonymous]

They will welcome your kid to join, but maybe for competition you have to wait, unless your kid is freshman prodigy debater, similar with popular club like rocetry or robotic. Many excellent students already there 2-3 years prior and also they wait their turn.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They will welcome your kid to join, but maybe for competition you have to wait, unless your kid is freshman prodigy debater, similar with popular club like rocetry or robotic. Many excellent students already there 2-3 years prior and also they wait their turn.

Thanks. I was afraid only the top could even participate at all. Freshman not looking to do competitions in first years, but hoping can still join and learn and improve (so similar to freshman football v JV v Varsity model).

[Anonymous]

Talent is recognized but older students need the awards for their college apps.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can Freshman join debate? Or is this one of the clubs where compete for spots and most if not all are reserved for juniors or seniors? Thanks!

All clubs like that are competitive so most likely a freshman won't get a spot

That’s far from reality. TJ clubs are built on recognizing and respecting excellence, regardless of a student's grade level. Any freshman is welcome to join a club like debate and learn from upperclassmen who themselves started as beginners and honed their skills over time. But if a freshman comes in with exceptional talent—skills that even upperclassmen can learn from—TJ stands out among FCPS schools as the place where that student will be recognized and given meaningful responsibility. Fortunately, TJ still practices a culture that values merit over seniority.

Source?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They will welcome your kid to join, but maybe for competition you have to wait, unless your kid is freshman prodigy debater, similar with popular club like rocetry or robotic. Many excellent students already there 2-3 years prior and also they wait their turn.

Thanks. I was afraid only the top could even participate at all. Freshman not looking to do competitions in first years, but hoping can still join and learn and improve (so similar to freshman football v JV v Varsity model).

Yes.

[Anonymous]

TJ only does PF, it doesn't do CX? interesting/surprising