You Can’t Argue With Success, or With These Debaters

Highland Park High School seniors Camden Coale and Layton Braziel brought home their second consecutive state championship in 5A cross-examination debate last weekend.

The students beat out more than 50 teams from around the state to earn the UIL title. 

This year’s teams were tasked with arguing either for or against the resolution: “The United States federal government should significantly increase its exploration and/or development of the Arctic.”

Students had to prepare to argue both sides of the proposition — the position they took in each debate was determined by a coin toss — as well as answer questions posed by their opponents during a three-minute cross examination period.

Camden’s father, David Coale, also earned two state championship titles when he competed for Allen ISD four decades ago. One win was from the UIL, and the other from the Texas Forensic Association. Check out Park Cities People‘s August issue to read more about the father and son duo’s history-making wins.

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Sarah Hodges

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Sarah Hodges is editor of People Newspapers. She wrote for The Kansas City Star, served in the Peace Corps, worked as a law firm associate, and spent more than a decade caring for her children as a stay-at-home parent prior to joining Park Cities People as managing editor in 2024. In her spare time, you can find her running, either around the neighborhood or to various kid activities.