High school students pitch 'Control Alt Vikings' coding club and a debate team to Valley Central board
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Summary
Students and staff presented proposals to create a coding club focused on teamwork and statewide competition and a debate team emphasizing public speaking and critical thinking; both presentations received positive feedback from board members.
Students from Valley Central High School and their teachers presented two new extracurricular proposals at the Dec. 8 Board of Education meeting: a coding club called 'Control Alt Vikings' and a student debate team.
Teacher Mr. Fowler introduced the coding club, crediting freshman Brady Wilder as the originator. Fowler outlined goals including monthly meetings, peer instruction, guest speakers, coding projects and preparation for a programming contest at Siena College; he said there is no competition fee but transportation would be required. Several students described how a club would build teamwork and provide a low-pressure environment to explore computer science beyond classroom courses.
Separately, a group of students and Mr. Singh proposed an Oxford-style debate team to teach public speaking, critical thinking and respectful discourse. The team outlined fundraising plans (raffles, bake sales), an initial interest list of about 15 students, and the plan for in-class practice and competition once established.
Board members praised the student presentations and encouraged administration to move forward with club charters and support; later in the meeting the board approved other club charters and routine agenda items by voice vote.
Next steps: Administration will process club charters and support logistics (transportation and supervision) as requested in future agenda items.