La Crosse Central has a long and proud tradition of debate that dates back to the Lincoln-Douglas Debating Society, founded at La Crosse High School in 1904. In January, Central Debate won the Wisconsin State Debate Championship in varsity policy debate.
The Central Debate Team's mission is to cultivate critical thinking, effective communication, and civic engagement among our students. Through rigorous research, thoughtful analysis, and respectful discourse, we aim to empower our team members to become informed advocates for real change in our community and beyond.
The La Crosse Central Debate team has a long and proud history of competition in Wisconsin and regional debate. Central Debate won the Wisconsin State Debate Tournament this year, but rising costs, stagnant activities budgets, and a decline in local tournaments have put a difficult cost burden on the existing budget to provide educational opportunities for Central’s debaters. Central is the only traveling debate team in western Wisconsin, so competition now often includes hotel costs, vehicle rentals, or bus trips.
The School District of La Crosse has recently ended financial support for students who have qualified for national competition and travel.
Your contribution will help send the state champion La Crosse Central Debate team to the 2026 National Speech and Debate Tournament in Richmond, VA. Students will compete in the most rigorous form of debate against competitors from across the nation.
