https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/26/us/ketanji-brown-jackson-high-school-debate.html
Much media coverage - like this NYT article - describes her as being a "top debater" in high school. But KBJ was NOT a debater. She did original oratory - a speech event. BIG, BIG, difference, as all actual debaters well know. Including me! I was a debater from the same era as that in which KBJ did speech.
Participants in speech events do not respond to opponents' arguments, do cross-examination, or indeed interact with opponents in any significant way (there is slight interaction in "extemporaneous speaking," but none in the event KBJ did). Palmetto High School, which KBJ attended, does actually have a strong debate team, and did back then, too. I competed against them on many occasions. But KBJ was NOT involved in that. This issue needs to be flagged by the Senate. Also, the president must commit to appointing a real debater to the next SCOTUS vacancy.
Justice Stephen Breyer, whom KBJ will be replacing, if confirmed, is the only Red Sox fan currently on the Court. As a condition of confirmation, KBJ MUST commit to supporting the Red Sox herself. Otherwise, the balance on the Court will be disrupted (J. Sotomayor is a notorious Yankees fan, and this bias must be countered!), and the institution will lose its legitimacy.
