New debate coach named at OHS

OGDEN -- A new debate coach has been named to carry on the rich debate history at Ogden High School, according to Principal Sondra Jolovich-Motes.

Christian Shiverdecker, the theater teacher at both Ogden and Ben Lomond high schools, was selected to take over the program at the end of October. He will also plan the school's biggest debate event of the year, the Portia Douglas debate tournament. Jolovich-Motes said Shiverdecker is an experienced debater.

The Portia Douglas debate tournament, a huge annual event that attracts more than 30 schools and almost 1,000 students from around the state, was rescheduled from Nov. 7 to Jan. 16 to give Shiverdecker time to organize it.

"The Portia Douglas debate tourney is a big tradition that we are very proud of. Nearly every room in the school is used during the tournament," Jolovich-Motes said. "We needed to give him time to put it together."

When asked why former debate coach Matthew Madsen was no longer running the program, Jolovich-Motes declined to comment.

"We just have a new debate teacher," she said.

Shiverdecker, who was active in debate when he attended Richfield High School, is excited to take over the debate program.

"It's a great opportunity. A lot of parents and other coaches have shown their support," said Shiverdecker, a first-year teacher. "It's been great."

As the theater instructor, Shiverdecker has been preparing students at Ben Lomond and Ogden high schools to perform "Julius Caesar."

The Portia Douglas debate tournament also will be a big production. Lori Lee, who taught debate at Ogden High School for 13 years, said the tournament has been a tradition at the school for several decades. She was relieved to learn rumors of its cancellation were false, but said rescheduling the debate would be a major inconvenience.

"On an academic level, the Portia Douglas debate tournament is as much a part of the school's history as the Iron Horse football game (between Ben Lomond and Ogden)," said Lee, who now sells real estate. "It's an opportunity for so many students and it showcases the school."

When Lee left Ogden High School in 2000, the debate program included more than 200 students.

Over the years, Ogden High School carried on a tradition that includes winning numerous state titles. The tournament is named in honor of Portia Douglas, who ran the Ogden High School debate and drama programs from 1953 to 1969.