Joshua Flint is a senior here at Glendale High School, and he was born and raised in the city of Glendale. Some of his hobbies include participating in color guard, reading fantasy books, and playing video games. He is currently serving as the captain of the color guard team, as president of the Youth & Government program at the YMCA, and as president of the Speech and Debate Club. He is also a former member of our Explosion writing staff. Looking ahead, Joshua aspires to become a school teacher or a college professor, where he wants to incorporate debate by either teaching a class or leading a team.
Joshua restarted the Speech and Debate Club this year, believing his experience with Youth & Government would allow him to lead more effectively. He also wanted to create an opportunity for students who may be interested in Youth & Government but are unable to attend after-school sessions.
What first sparked Joshua’s interest in debate was his love for talking and hearing everyone’s opinions, especially when those opinions are backed by research. One of his goals for the club is to attend a districtwide competition. While this is challenging, since they are currently just a club and not a class team, Joshua hopes that one future president will be able to achieve this, even if he himself isn’t able to do so. He believes it would be an incredible experience for his club members.
Joshua has been involved in Youth & Government at the YMCA for three years, and he credits the program with teaching him and providing valuable insights that he has been able to apply to his work in speech and debate. Throughout his time in the program, Joshua has gained a deeper understanding of the political processes and public speaking, and he has learned how to effectively present and defend ideas. These skills have not only helped him become more confident in his debating abilities, but they have also enhanced his leadership and communication skills.
Joshua believes that his experience in Youth & Government has shaped his approach to debate, especially in terms of structuring arguments, conducting research, and engaging with different perspectives. It’s been an invaluable learning experience, one that has fueled his passion for both debate and civic engagement.
We’re all looking forward to seeing what Joshua brings to the Speech and Debate Club this year. With his extensive experience, he should do an excellent job teaching others, while also further honing his own skills.
If you are interested in joining the Speech and Debate Club, where you can improve your argument skills, or gain more confidence with public speaking, please reach out to Mr. O’Malley at [email protected]. You can also follow the club on Instagram: @ghs.speech_anddebate.
