RIVERDALE, Iowa — There's no slowing down this Pleasant Valley team!
The Spartans' ethics bowl team, fresh off their third state champion win in the last three years, is now one of just 24 teams across the country to qualify for the April 2024 national tournament.
Ethics bowl allows students to discuss controversial issues and the ethical dimensions that surround them. Students go head to head against other teams in respectful and thoughtful forums that analyze complex moral dilemmas drawn up from real-life scenarios. The team members must use critical thinking, empathy and ethical reasoning skills to get their point across.
At January's state competition, Pleasant Valley swept the podium, capturing first, second and third place. Then on Valentine's Day, the Spartans walked away from their regional tournament victorious.
Now, they'll be returning to nationals for the second time in two years. This year's event will take place April 12 to 14 at the UNC-Chapel Hill campus.
Team members Alika Cho, Nadia Meeks, Ashwin Parab, Odelia Ayila and Margil Sanchez Carmona joined The Current on News 8 to discuss the secret to Pleasant Valley's success, what they're looking forward to at the national tournament and how participating in ethics bowl has helped shape their personal critical thinking skills. You can watch the full interview in the above video.
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