Congratulations to the 2025-26 MNUDL Judges of the Year!

Between catching up with old friends, sharing tacos, and soaking in mariachi music under the sunshine, thank you for joining us in celebrating the people who power our community.

Our Judges of the Year show that excellent debate judges come from all walks of life. Some competed in debate themselves, and some never did. What they share is their care and dedication to helping Twin Cities youth amplify their voices.

Mia has truly gone above and beyond for MNUDL this year. Whether we needed someone to step in, take an extra round, or simply be someone we could count on, she was always willing to help. Her consistency, positive attitude, and commitment to our students represent what volunteering with MNUDL is all about. We are incredibly grateful for everything she has contributed, and we are proud to recognize her as our Judge of the Year.

Sharlene has been an incredible supporter of our high school debaters. High school debate challenges students to think critically, defend their ideas, and find confidence in their own voices, and having thoughtful judges makes that experience possible. Sharlene has consistently given our students her time, attention, and encouragement. We are excited to recognize her dedication to our High School Debate Program.

Middle school is often where students first discover what debate can do for them, and Maribel has helped make those first experiences positive and memorable. Her patience, encouragement, and willingness to support our younger debaters have helped students feel comfortable taking risks, speaking up, and learning something new. We are so thankful for the energy she brings to our Middle School Debate Program.

Urji has brought tremendous dedication to our East African Debate Program. Her involvement has helped us create a welcoming environment where students can build confidence, leadership skills, and community through debate. What stands out about Urji is her willingness to show up for our students and make them feel that their ideas and voices matter. We are grateful to recognize her contributions to the East African Debate Program.

Adolfo has helped make Debate en Español a space where students can not only develop as debaters, but also embrace the power of using their language and their voices. His support has helped our students feel seen, encouraged, and confident competing in Spanish. We deeply appreciate his commitment to creating an inclusive debate community and are honored to recognize his contributions to Debate en Español.

Aya has played an important role in making our Financial Literacy Debate Program meaningful for students. This program gives young people the opportunity to strengthen their debate skills while discussing financial topics that can have a real impact on their lives and futures. Through her time and thoughtful participation, Aya has helped make those conversations engaging and accessible. We are very grateful for her dedication to our Financial Literacy Debate Program.

Please join us in congratulating our winners!