In Germany’s high school debating community (or ‘circuit’ in debater jargon), Königin-Olga-Stift enjoys a special, historical importance. Mr. Michael Pates, none other than the father of German high school debating, was a teacher and the founding coach of the Debating Club at our school in the 1990s. After his departure, KOSt has continuously engaged actively in debating nationally and internationally. We won the national German Senior League thrice in 2006, 2020 and 2021 and our Junior League debaters won in 2005, 2017 and 2018. We sent debaters to the World Championships (WSDC) representing Germany four times. Indeed, we even hosted WSDC twice when it came to Stuttgart in 2004 and 2016.

It is to such a long list of honourable achievements that we, KOSt’s debaters, add this year. Not only have three of KOSt’s debaters (Henrik Alan Williams and Yuye Qian from J2, Eva Lena Radzinski from J1) made it onto Germany’s national team, but at the 2024 World Championship this July, I (Yuye Qian from J2) was even fortunate enough to contribute to the first time Germany has ever made it into the Top 16 national teams worldwide since our first participation in 1996.

For me, WSDC 2024 in Serbia was both unforgettable and unique. In eight intense preliminary rounds, we debated powerful opponents such as Singapore or Sri Lanka and narrowly made it as the 15th strongest team, breaking into the outrounds and only losing to South Africa later on. Not only did I learn incredible things about logic, rhetorical skills and team cooperation in those 10 days, but I also got to meet many unbelievably smart, talented people from around the world during my stay in Belgrade. I’d say WSDC 2024 didn’t just challenge my critical thinking to the extreme; it broadened my perspective to a global, multicultural scale as I shared stories with people from Mongolia and Macao to Brazil and New Zealand. I can happily say that my time in Serbia was one of the best experiences in my life.

It is not easy to get the opportunity of going to WSDC. Any member joining Team Germany has to display outstanding talent and potential in a multi-day selections procedure in October. ‘Selections were completely surreal because everyone was at an incredibly high level,’ Henrik, who has no prior experience in international debating, recounted. ‘I felt I had a long way ahead to get onto the national team.’ He recalled three debates on a single day in which he faced off against many more experienced debaters and reflected on his tense interview, which had put him under ‘a lot of pressure’.

‘It was truly an emotional rollercoaster full of stress, hope and, of course, rooting for my incredibly talented friends – all at the same time,’ Eva, a J1 student at KOSt with a year of experience on the German Development Squad (a small team of younger debaters training for the national team), agrees. Nevertheless, she adds that it was a ‘really enjoyable experience’ which allowed her to ‘enjoy working together with some of Germany’s best debaters’. 

Both are exhilarated to be part of this year’s team. ‘The excitement I felt when I received news I made it onto the team was incredible. My jaw literally dropped,’ Henrik remembers. Eva describes feeling ‘incredibly proud and grateful to be part of the team’ and notes how ever since she has been training on the team, the talent her teammates display has motivated her to ‘improve every day’.

Members of the team spar regularly every week and participate at seasonal international tournaments together, testing their skills against other superb teams such as Team Canada, USA, China etc. Fortunately, our performance benefits from a friendly and welcoming environment for all members. ‘Everyone is super nice, smart and supportive,’ Henrik assures. Eva concurs, remarking that all our teammates are ‘truly talented, genuinely super nice and down-to-earth folks’. Both look forward to spending time with the team, whether in or outside of competitions.

Now that all three of us have made it to the team, we must work hard to make sure we do not fall behind the others until next July, when WSDC 2025 takes place in Panama City. The team will be reduced to five members in December as the coaches select the strongest team to perform at Worlds for Germany. ‘I hope that I make the team, but even if I don’t, I’m really looking forward to hearing about it,’ Henrik adds. ‘I think Team Germany is definitely able to break and who knows, a miracle run is always possible.’ 

‘With a group of such talented debaters, I’m confident we can go far,’ Eva says firmly. ‘With the skills, the energy and the drive in this team, I see us continuing this streak, and hey, why not make it even further this time?’ 

Only time will tell as Germany’s new team prepares for the next World Championships. No matter what the results will be, we look forward to the new 2024/2025 debating season and wish for all the best to Team KOSt and Team Germany.

Eva Lena Radzinski, Yuye Qian, Henrik Alan Williams