The Belmont Abbey Ethics Bowl Team returned Saturday evening after competing at the annual North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities 2020 Ethics Bowl. The competition focused on ethics in agriculture, exploring issues from animal welfare standards to agricultural regulations. Our team included senior Adrianna Hodges and freshmen Daniyil Potapenko, Isabella Barrett, Paloma Shrauder, and Samuel Wallick.
The Belmont Abbey team went undefeated in the four preliminary rounds, debating ethical proposals with the following schools: Wake Forest University, Chowan University, Mars Hill University, and Louisburg College.
In semifinals at the North Carolina Legislature, a panel consisting of our four freshmen debated North Carolina Wesleyan University on a question of genetically-modified and gene-edited foods. Our students advocated the use of technology to extend healthy food options to vulnerable population groups, including homeless communities and families displaced by armed conflict. Belmont Abbey was declared the winning team and invited to compete in the final round at the North Carolina Museum of History.
In the final round, our students debated the ethics at the intersection of agriculture and immigration with a team of upperclassmen from High Point University. The Belmont Abbey panel of Isabella, Adrianna, Samuel, and Daniyil considered the balance of upholding legal processes and human rights. On a divided judging decision, our students were honored with second place, concluding the 2020 NCICU Ethics Bowl as finalists.
Our next competition is the International Public Debate Association National Tournament in Tennessee, taking place March 13-17.
