Q & A with Mr. Cook
Gabe Cook is the teacher for not only B-Line but also the Assistant Coach for Barstow’s Debate Team, and next year he will be the Head Coach of Barstow Debate. I asked him an array of questions and you will find his answers below.
(Mr. Cook pictured on the right with the B-Line staff)
What are your hobbies?
What are your hobbies?
I am a bit of a sports junkie. I read all the news stories and blog posts I can about my teams. My favorites are the Chiefs, Cubs, Royals and the Arkansas Razorbacks men’s basketball squad.
Do you have any pets?
I have one little dog named Penny. She is a mix of a Miniature Poodle and a Bichon Frise. Penny weighs about as much as a bag of flour...lol.
What do you enjoy doing during your free time?
Spending time with my family. My wife and I have a little boy named Charlie who is almost one. When I am not at Barstow or a debate tournament, I am with them.
How is your first year going?
I am enjoying Barstow. The students, faculty, and administrators have been supportive, and this is a tremendous learning environment. The first semester was naturally an adjustment, but I quickly felt comfortable, and I am pleased with the debate team and all the success we had this year. I am also proud of the online transition we made in B-Line, and I am excited about our continued development using the new format.
How long have you been interested in debate? Why?
I was interested in politics by age eight and remember the Bush-Dukakis election. I took speech in eighth grade and loved it, leading me to take debate my first year of high school. I have always enjoyed the research and the way you can seek truth through debate, plus the competition is fun.
What do you enjoy doing on the weekends?
This is going to sound so old and lame, but I enjoy getting house and yard work done. I also love spending time with my nuclear and extended family. I have a ton of relatives in KC and southwest Missouri and we visit them often.
What is your favorite show at the moment?
Game of Thrones. I have watched the entire series twice. I am also a big Stranger Things fan, and I think everyone should watch The Wire.
What is your favorite movie at the moment? Totally agree!
I am loving the Star Wars movies. After the prequels disappointed, it is refreshing to see the new trilogy and spin-offs do justice to the original work.
Are you planning on going anywhere over the summer/spring break?
It will be a lot of small family trips and plenty of outdoor time this summer. I am also hoping to visit some of Missouri’s beautiful creeks and rivers. I love float trips and last summer I did not take a single one. Over spring break, I am going to the opening-round of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament with my dad, cousins, and uncle. We have made a ten-year tradition of going to March Madness, and I always look forward to the trip.
What is your favorite restaurant?
KC has so many delicious food options it is hard to choose. I love a ton of the popular BBQ joints, but I want to give a shout-out to a Waldo area Mexican restaurant I like, Chilly’s. The Chile Rojo is my favorite, and the white cheese dip is top-notch.
