¡Que sigan debatiendo! Spanish debaters return to inspire the next generation
Juliana and Paula from Como Park spoke at the Middle School Debate En Español awards ceremony.
At the Middle School Debate En Español Championship, debaters saw just what is possible if they stick with the activity.
After the rounds were over and the scores were tallied at our Middle School Debate En Español Championship, students chatted with excitement. Before the trophies were handed out, they quieted to hear a speeches by Paula and Juliana from Como Park Senior High School. This was their moment to hear from nationally competitive Debate en Español competitors.
Just weeks ago, Juliana represented the Minnesota Urban Debate League at Harvard University and became a national finalist. Her story didn’t start there. Like many debaters, she was drawn in by free pizza.
“Last year, I joined the debate team… but not for the reasons you might think. I joined for the pizza. Yes, literally. I had no experience, I didn’t know how to debate, and I certainly couldn’t have imagined what would happen next.”
“El año pasado entré a debate… pero no por las razones que ustedes creen. Entré por la pizza. Sí, literalmente. No tenía experiencia, no sabía debatir, y tampoco imaginaba lo que iba a pasar después.”
The middle schoolers leaned in and listened. Juliana had sat exactly where they were sitting, nerves and all, not so long ago.
She told them what happened in her very first competition, having never debated before: she took second place.
“And that was when everything changed. My drive grew stronger and stronger, fueled by that boost in self-confidence. Debate didn’t just teach me how to speak better. It taught me to believe in myself. It helped me overcome my fear, express my ideas, listen to others, and defend my beliefs with respect.”
“Y ahí fue cuando todo cambió. Mis ganas aumentaron cada vez más gracias a esa subida de autoestima. Debate no solo me enseñó a hablar mejor. Me enseñó a confiar en mí. Me ayudó a perder el miedo, a expresar mis ideas, a escuchar a otros, y a defender lo que pienso con respeto.”
The middle school debaters knew exactly what she was talking about. They’d spent the season overcoming fear, expressing ideas, listening, defending, just like her, entirely in Spanish.
“Debating in our own language — in Spanish — is powerful. Because all too often, we feel that to access opportunities, we have to change who we are or how we speak. But debate proves otherwise: our voice, in our own language, holds value too.”
“Debatir en nuestro idioma, en español, es poderoso. Porque muchas veces sentimos que para tener oportunidades tenemos que cambiar quiénes somos o cómo hablamos. Pero el debate nos demuestra lo contrario: que nuestra voz, en nuestro propio idioma, también tiene valor.”
This message means even more in such an extraordinary time. Operation Metro Surge forced many Spanish-speaking families underground, forcing MNUDL to hold virtual debates for much of the season so youth wouldn’t be forced to risk their safety to participate. Juliana named what they had just done, and why it mattered.
Then she closed:
“Debate isn’t just for ‘the smart kids’ or those who already speak perfectly. It is for anyone willing to give it a try — to make mistakes, to learn, and to grow. If I started out just for a slice of pizza and ended up at Harvard University representing my state with such pride and passion — just imagine how far you can go if you start with real intent.”
“El debate no es solo para ‘los inteligentes’ o los que ya saben hablar perfecto. Es para cualquiera que quiera intentar, equivocarse, aprender y crecer. Si yo empecé por una pizza… y después terminé en una universidad en Harvard representando mi estado con tanto orgullo y sentimiento. Ahora imagínense hasta dónde pueden llegar ustedes empezando en serio.”
It was an outstanding introduction to the award ceremony recognizing the excellence of the next generation of Spanish-speaking debaters.
Principiante (Beginner) Division
Top 10 Partnership Results, Principiante
- 1st Place: Guadalupe & Maria (Risen Christ)
- 2nd Place: Franklin & Kate (Risen Christ)
- 3rd Place: Noel & Frida (Academia Cesar Chavez)
- 4th: Brianna & Rosa (Andersen United)
- 5th: Briana & Kimberly (St. Louis Park)
- 6th: Viola & Samantha (Risen Christ)
- 7th: Brice, Carlo & Carlos (St. Louis Park)
- 8th: Ozzie & Mackenzie (Andersen United)
- 9th: Maykel & Erick (Andersen United)
- 10th: Aylin & Elvis (Risen Christ)
Top 10 Speakers, Principiante
- Briana (St. Louis Park)
- Maria (Risen Christ)
- Viola (Risen Christ) T-4. Franklin (Risen Christ) T-4. Kate (Risen Christ) T-4. Guadalupe (Risen Christ)
- Frida (Academia Cesar Chavez)
- Mackenzie (Andersen United)
- Noel (Academia Cesar Chavez)
- Aylin (Risen Christ)
Avanzado (Advanced) Division
Top 5 Partnership Results, Avanzado
- 1st Place: Noemi & Gwen (Andersen United)
- 2nd Place: Vanessa & Arjun (Andersen United)
- 3rd Place: Thomas & Raina (Andersen United)
- 4th: María, Edith & Steisy (Risen Christ)
- 5th: Itzel & Pearl (Andersen United)
Top 10 Speakers, Avanzado
- Noemi (Andersen United)
- Itzel (Risen Christ)
- Vanessa (Andersen United)
- Sophia (Risen Christ)
- Arjun (Andersen United)
- Gwen (Andersen United)
- Carlos (Risen Christ)
- Leslie (Risen Christ)
- Thomas (Andersen United)
- Raina (Andersen United)
Every student who walked out of that awards ceremony carrying a trophy — or not — had much to be proud of. They had argued in Spanish, listened with care, and defended their ideas with respect — just like Juliana said.
Maybe some of them joined for the pizza. Just imagine where they’ll be in a few years.
¡Felicidades a todos los debatientes!
