The 17^th Annual Middle School Debate Program, sponsored by the English Speaking Union and the Rotary Club of Pinehurst, will be held on Tuesday, March 10, 2026 at Sandhills Community College. Middle school students from Moore County’s public and private schools compete against each other using skills learned in their debate clubs to win over parents, teachers, school board members, and judges on a specific topic.

To continue the success of this program, we need approximately 50 volunteers to judge the students’ performances. In addition to ESU members, the Rotary Club of Pinehurst. the League of Women Voters and the Sandhills Womens’ Exchange have provided judges in past years. It is a rewarding experience to watch these future leaders undertake the debate process.

New judges will be given a manual and a 1 hour orientation prior to the competition. The program begins at 8:30 a.m. and ends around 3:00 p.m. on March 10^th. Lunch is provided as well.

To volunteer your time to judge, please contact Kacky Johnson (kackyj150@gmail.com), Kay LaBare (labarekay@gmail.com) or Mary Lou Seigfried ( mlseigfried@hotmail.com).

Thank you,

Mary Lou Seigfried, Middle School Programs