You approach a room filled with suits and ties as an ode to the art of debate, with your partner by your side, your support serves the same purpose as Atlas holds the pillars of the earth. This may be where you submit all worldly assumptions about politics and the toxic culture surrounding it. However, your partner is a paradigm. According to most in the Speech and Debate team here in Fort Osage, this theme is constant from Senior Bradyn Banasik.
As we begin the 24-25 school year, Senior Bradyn Banasik now holds the position of president for the speech and debate team, after serving as vice president the year prior in the 2023-2024 school year. Junior, Steven Thomas believes that Bradyn puts great effort into the team, but is an even greater friend.
“His teamwork, leadership, and the effort he puts toward the team,” Thomas said. “All the time he gives, helping others.”
Bradyn Banasik specializes in Public Forum Debate and Extemporaneous speaking. Public forum is a 2-on-2 style of debate, where he found most of his success working with his current debate vice president, Junior, Kindra Moore. Extemporaneous is a public speaking style where the person has to construct a speech and its research within an allotted time. Banasik postulates that one of his most memorable moments is going to all Americans in the state.
“Probably, All American Academic,” Banasik said. “It was one of those that was signified by the whole nation and only two percent of people actually got it, so it was definitely my highest achievement.”
Bradyn is also part of the youth court team, which was re-established in the 23-24 school year. They collaborate with local law offices to be equipped for their future. Sophomore and teammate Steven Matney explains that even at tournaments Bradyn steps up to the plate for others.
“When I first met Bradyn I was starting exempt at my first tournament, he and I talked about how to approach speeches and he was overall very helpful.”
For most of the team, to have a leadership that is willing to put themselves forward like that is key to a prosperous organization. A leader is a keystone to everything, someone who holds all beliefs and conflicts to the same level of prioritization and importance. This is a reflection of what Bradyn can and will do and the type of leader that Niccolo Machiavelli once said,
“All courses of action are risky, so prudence is not in avoiding danger (it’s impossible), but calculating risk and acting decisively.”
