The team’s best year so far was 2000, when it placed second in Lincoln-Douglas style debate at nationals. The following year, business major Colleen Karpinsky ’01 brought home an individual first place trophy.

"I had the best training possible," she says. "I was lucky to come onto the team when there were fabulous debaters on it, and Dave’s one of the hardest working individuals I know. I developed a lot of the skills that I used in law school: researching, analyzing arguments, and speaking in front of a group."

Karpinsky is a role model to aspiring lawyers on the team. She won a half tuition scholarship to Pennsylvania State University Dickinson School of Law based on her national title, and is now an
associate at New Hampshire’s largest law firm, McLane, Graf, Raulerson & Middleton. She is one of a dozen alums who volunteer to help coach before tournaments—testament to the strong relationships formed through debate.

Preparation for tournaments is a team effort. "You’re in the round alone, but your ability to think clearly and choose the right words doesn’t matter if the others haven’t researched their aspects of the topic and explained them well enough to you," says Karpinsky. "The success of the team is just as important as the success of any individual. We were there to support each other—and we still do."

Joanna Whitney ’04, a biochemistry major who now teaches chemistry in California, went to a meeting freshman year to keep a friend company. "While there, I thought the topic, government restriction of civil lawsuits, sounded interesting," she says. "I thought I’d pick up some knowledge on the courts and be able to travel for free. I stuck with it for the people and friendships."

Team members also share an enormous respect for their coach, praising his knowledgeable yet laid back demeanor and supportive attitude. "I think every single one of us has called him dad by mistake at one point or another," says Rachel Willcox.

Last year, all five of the team’s debaters qualified for nationals, and the school finished in sixth place. This year’s team is young—seven freshmen, two sophomores, one junior and two seniors—but it’s off to an excellent start. Trumble’s goal this year is a top five team result at nationals.

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