Congratulations to the 2025 Mayors Challenge Debate Winners!
While only one team can win the debate, the MNUDL was the biggest winner of all after the Mayors Challenge.
Thank you for joining us for a night of celebration and learning as our urban debaters competed in their Arctic policy showcase debate, emceed by Nina Moini from MPR News!
Chris Carr from Strib Varsity announced the team of Ayan Ahmed of Edison High School & Charlotte Washington of Central High School as the winners of the debate!
After their informative and engaging clash with Eleanor Nervig (Roosevelt High School) & Sir Nakhai Guy-Cornelius (Open World Learning), the arguments on the negative (con) side persuaded the audience most.
We congratulate them – but really, everyone’s a winner! Thanks to more than 50 gifts, including from Katie Baxter-Kauf and a match by Sheila Peterson of $25,000, we raised $158,980!
Speaking about what motivated her to give, Katie Baxter-Kauf said,
“The Minnesota Urban Debate League does irreplaceable and exceptional work in helping students find their voices, participate in democracy, and combat misinformation in an increasingly complicated and technological world. Every school should have a debate program and every kid should be able to participate. The MNUDL moves us closer to that goal every single day. There is no organization I am more committed to supporting and in working with to spread the word about the power of academic, policy debate.”
We are deeply grateful. You’ve helped sustain our crucial programs, which serve more than 1,850 students across the Twin Cities, in a turbulent funding landscape for out-of-school-time programs. Thank you for joining us! Stay tuned for all the photos of the event and check out the preview gallery.
Highlights of the Event
Governor Tim Walz greets national finalists in the Debate en Español program.
Gov. Tim Walz, Twin Cities Mayors proclaim value of urban debate programming
Governor Tim Walz met with students, coaches, volunteers, and other debate supporters. He kicked off the event by speaking about the value he perceives in debate, sending a heartfelt thank you to the educators in the room and Augsburg University for making MNUDL programming possible. As a former teacher and coach, he understands better than most how vital their work is.
Mayor Jacob Frey of Minneapolis remarked upon the value of debate for all leaders, saying, “Debate holds a very important place in my office. With an openness to new ideas, you can burst your bubble.” Mayor Melvin Carter of St. Paul shared a video with words of encouragement, saying MNUDL debaters “represent the best part of our future.” Watch his full message here.
A special appearance by a former St. Paul debater
Molly Coleman debated at Central High School before the school’s programming was part of the MNUDL.
Molly Coleman, St. Paul City Councilmember (Ward 4) and former St. Paul Central debater, spoke with students about how her time debating influenced her.
“I learned how credible both sides of an argument almost always are. No side is flawless, yet there has to be a winner. That’s what I learn now in a policy role; you have to be able to choose the best policy and move forward. I’m certainly carrying debate with me now.”
Matt Entenza receives the MNUDL’s 2025 Champion of Change Award, recognizing his support for debate
Matt Entenza received his award from President Paul Pribbenow and was surprised by the video from his former debate partner.
Matt Entenza, whose backing was instrumental in launching MNUDL, was surprised by his former debate partner, Augsburg Univerity Regent John O’Brien! Announcing the Champion of Change Award, John O’Brien said:
“Matt was always just a fierce advocate for debate. His opponents recognized him as a triple threat: smart, compelling speaker, super hardworking… it’s turned into a lifetime commitment to changing the world with his time, treasure, and talent. In fact, he’s our attorney at EDUCAUSE and general counsel for nonprofits like mine all around the country.”
It was heartening to recognize his work and show him how much the MNUDL has grown since he first invested in urban debate more than 20 years ago.
Debaters express how MNUDL programming impacts their lives during student panel
MNUDL debaters reflected on their favorite parts of debate and how it has changed the way they think about themselves and the world.
Along with Central High School’s Kiernan Baxter Kauf, our Mayors Challenge debaters were joined by Crystal Onu from North St. Paul High School (District 622) and Jose Vilchis Cortez, a Roosevelt High School alum and Augsburg University student, for special features at the event.
Crystal said, “A quote I admire is that life is not about finding yourself, but about creating yourself. I see debate as one of the clubs that allows Crystal to discover who she is and what she wants to do.”
Jose remarked, “To me, debate means opportunity to succeed. I owe a lot to debate.”
We are grateful they took the time to share additional, valuable perspectives on debate – and that your gifts have made these outcomes possible for more students!
Thank you to our sponsors
The success of this event would not have been possible without the visionary support of our sponsors!
Thank you to our organizational sponsors:
The Minnesota Star Tribune, Hogen Adams, Berger Montague, Entenza Law Firm, Lockridge Grindal Nauen, Stifel/Adam Greenleaf (VP Investments), Taft, Zimmerman Reed, Allianz, Briol & Benson, Dorsey, Faegre Drinker, First Bank & Trust, Greene Espel PLLP, Greenberg Traurig, Gustafsuon Gluek, Lathrop GPM, National Association for Urban Debate Leagues (NAUDL), and Macalester College.
And our individual sponsors:
Alex & Emily Thiele, Nicole Narotzky, Rebecca Shavlik, Veena Iyer, Karon Garen, Elisia Cohen & UMN Hubbard School of Journalism & Mass Communication, Jill Skogheim, Mark Raderstorf, George Dow, Matt Little, Meg Luger-Nikolai
Many of these individual sponsors donated their table tickets so aspiring debaters could watch the event. We are grateful they chose to inspire the next generation in this way.
Thank you to Blaze Credit Union, Nilan Johnson Lewis, John Evans, and Steve Liss for additional support.
