These last couple of weeks have been a busy time for Paly debaters. After its tournament at Stanford last weekend, the debate team is preparing for another tournament at Berkeley on Feb. 14-16.

According to junior Avi Arfin, Berkeley is one of the biggest debate tournaments of the year. Arfin says the Lincoln Douglas team will debate on whether the United States should join the International Criminal Court. The policy team will debate whether the United States should increase alternative energy incentives.

Junior team captain Naazneen Essabhoy has high hopes for the debate team’s future.

“The team is in the process of making an even greater reputation for Paly in the debate arena,” Essabhoy said. “[The debate team] is becoming a team that goes into top tournaments like Berkeley. I know [the team] is going to come out with nothing but a stronger and more amazing record.”

Ahmad is looking forward to the sensation of competition.

“Before a tournament, there’s always this thrill,” Ahmad said. “It’s exciting to be able to say basically anything you want, and make the stupidest arguments, and have them work. I also get to spend two days with a group of people I love working with and being around.”