Oak Harbor High School senior Eric Chalfant and sophomore Robbie White are heading to Salt Lake City, Utah, on June 12 to argue with students from around the country.

They will be competing in a national debate competition after qualifying at the state competition in February at Kamiak High School in Mukilteo.

Chalfant and White spent the year researching whether the federal government should establish an ocean policy to protect marine natural resources.

Thorough debate preparation is essential, as Chalfant and White have to be ready to argue both the pros and cons of the issue.

“When we’re trying to prove the resolution true, we focus on the South China Sea,” Chalfant said, explaining it’s a good part of the world to address the issue because it’s a contested body of water.

He added he can focus on a variety of topics in trying to disprove the resolution.

In addition to qualifying at nationals, Chalfant was awarded top speaker honors in cross examination during the debate at the state competition.

He said he enjoys debating because it’s an “organized form where you can argue things that can get heated and cause confusion.”

White added that he enjoys the competition because it provides the opportunity to dive into controversial issues.

This is Chalfant’s second year competing at nationals while White is making his first trip.

Last year Chalfant went with his partner Mark Villaflor.

Oak Harbor High School debate coach Todd Moore said the duo didn’t fare too well last year. However, Chalfant and White should benefit from a more flexible format this year, Moore said.

He added that several of the debate program’s alumni have done very well in the college ranks.

“We’ve put out some high quality personnel in the past,” Moore said, noting that a debate alumni, Peter McCollum, is an assistant debate coach at Harvard.

Chalfant hopes to be heading to Whitman College next year.

Moore said he hopes White will continue to compete at the national level over the next two years.

Before they can go to Salt Lake City, they have to raise money first. Moore said the team requested $1,500 from the ASB. However, they ultimately received half that amount.

In the coming months, debate kids are going to be holding a variety of events to make up the difference.

In late May, the debate team will be putting on a chalk-a-thon for middle school students at the high school parking lots. The students pay for a square and they use it to draw a picture.

Other fund-raising events also include a dance and the trusty car wash, Moore said.

You can reach News-Times reporter Nathan Whalen at nwhalen@

whidbeynewstimes.com.