“Competitive debate creates critical thinking, in-depth knowledge of current and historic events, an appreciation for the democratic process, and an understanding that how we say something is sometimes more important than what we say. Students on the SMC Debate Team will come to understand how easy unwarranted adherence can be achieved by an unscrupulous speaker, and how hard it sometimes is to help others see what is true." —Nate Brown, Professor of Communication Studies, Santa Monica College