By Cleveland Jones
Debate is as American as apple pie and fireworks, and on March 12, 180 people gathered for a dinner and debate at Vestavia Hills Civic Center to see what true civil discourse can look like. The Vestavia Hills Rotary Club hosted a community debate, featuring members of the Vestavia Hills High School Debate and Speech Team, led by Coach Nate Conoly, which five days earlier won the 2026 Debate State Championship.
The audience was given three debate topics to vote on, and their choice of the pros and cons of using Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education was timely and relevant. The student debaters exited the ballroom for 15 minutes to begin their research and preparation to support their positions. During this time, the audience—while enjoying a delicious meal from Everything Iz, which included apple pie—was treated to an impromptu speech delivered by Alabama State Champion Kaylee Zhao.
“What better way to celebrate America’s 250th birthday than with a debate. It’s in our DNA as Americans,” says event chair Kent Howard. “The original purpose of debate was to discover the truth to make better decisions, which mirrors the goal of Rotary’s Four Way Test that leads off with, “is it the truth.”
Joining the audience as judges were former debate coach and recently inducted Vestavia Hills School Hall of Fame member, Marilee Dukes; VHHS Principal Dr. Blair Inabinet; J.W. Carpenter, President of Prosper Birmingham and Alabama State Representative Danny Garrett, who announced the legislature’s plans to appropriate funds to the American Village in support of debate education.
All watched as Mina Hu, Arhaan Lalani, Connor Moorhouse, Vivian Shi, Anvitha Yaparla and Veronica Zhang, split up taking either the Pro or Con position on “The use of generative artificial intelligence in education.” For more than 30 minutes, each team presented their evidence and questioned each other’s position. Both teams cited founding father and political philosopher Thomas Paine, who was represented in the flesh by a costumed historical interpreter from American Village, along with Sarah Fulton, mother of the Boston Tea Party.
The four judges split their votes, and the audience tipped the scales in favor of the Con Team who “was more persuasive in their argument.” Debate Coach Nate Conolyn says about the event, “It was amazing to see such support and interest in our program, and I was happy our students got to show their talents. We aren’t like a sports team where the community comes to watch games, so in a way, this was like the Super Bowl for us.” Asked about the value of debating an issue from both sides Conolyn says, “I believe you don’t truly understand an issue until you research and debate it from the opposite side of what you initially believe.”
Veronica Zhang—who captured state titles in Congressional Debate Senate and International Extemporaneous Speaking says, “The Rotary Debate was so much fun. Speaking in front of 100-plus people was scary at first, but after warming up to it and focusing on the topic, my nerves calmed down a lot. Debate has transformed my life. I started high school convinced that I would become a doctor. But my overwhelmingly positive experience in debate helped me discover my passion for law, quite literally altering my life trajectory.”
The evening closed with Rotarians Fran Buchan and Keith Covington recognizing veterans for their service with those in attendance receiving an America 250th commemorative flag. The crowd then sang Happy Birthday to America as Judge Marilee Dukes, alongside Rotarian Dr. Iradj Sooudi blew out the candles. Dukes and Sooudi helped establish the relationship between debate and Rotary, which spans over four decades of annual fundraising events to support the math and debate teams as they compete across the country. “These students are wonderful ambassadors for our community and state,” says State Representative Mike Shaw who awarded a $5,000 legislative grant to Vestavia Hills High School and the team.
Special guests included American Village CEO Alan Miller, Alabama USA 250 Commission Executive Officer Natalie Steed, Vestavia Hills Board of Education Members Shelley Gentle and Amber Terakedis, Vestavia Hills City Council Member Kimberly Cook, State Representative Jim Cairns, State Senator Dan Roberts and Alabama Supreme Court Justice Greg Cook. Also in attendance were debate teams from Huffman High School and Busch Hills Middle School, who were hosted by Impact America which supports the Urban Debate League.
Vestavia Hills Rotary Club President Martin Owen thanked the generous community support and sponsors AmFirst, American Village, The Standard Insurance Company, Bradley LLP, Justice Greg Cook, Core Industrial & Supply LLC, Jo Davis, Impact America, Raymond James, Senior Healthcare Authority, Sate Representative Mike Shaw, Sons of the American Revolution, Vestavia Hills Board of Education, Vestavia Hills Sunrise Rotary and Vulcan Materials. Proceeds from the event also supported Small Magic’s reading initiative for the City of Birmingham’s pre-kindergarten children and Impact America
