The Wayland High School debate team took part in its first international debate session Saturday, working in collaboration with previous foreign exchange student Maximilian Winkler (2017-2018).

The local debate team debated with students from Gymnasium Fabritianum located in Krefeld, Germany.

While practicing civil discourse and applying critical thinking skills the students met via Zoom for a series of discussions leading up to a model United Nations event in early 2021.

The virtual meeting Saturday was geared to allow students to do a meet and greet activity; letting the students get to know one another and ask questions about their respective cultures.

Debate coach Andrea Brown said for future meetings/debates the groups will be assigned a global issue, (for example: global warming) then allow the students to discuss their ideas and plans surrounding the issue.

“This is a wonderful opportunity to use their twenty-first century technology skills, practice international communications and participate in a unique experience that they will remember for a lifetime,” Brown said.