Our High School debate season came to its exciting conclusion this December at the UDL City Championships on Saturday the 12th and Friday the 11th. Debaters, coaches and volunteers filled Humboldt High School for two days of debate, with the students competing to see who would take home the top awards and be this year’s champions!

Champions come in many forms:

Whether Washburn High School debaters Never and Grace winning 1st place and Alex and Lily winning 2nd place in Varsity division; Johnson debaters Esperanza and Jeminee winning 5th place in Rookie division; Edison High School debaters having fun helping the staff set up for the end of tournament celebration by blowing up balloons, building the balloon-arch, and preparing tables; Humboldt Senior High debater Jessica making incredible arguments and winning the 2nd place Novice speaker award; or Roosevelt’s debaters Chris and Riley earning a bid to the upcoming Urban
Debate National Championships – all of our students all came away with wonderful memories and pride in their great accomplishments this season.
All of us here at the MNUDL are proud of each and every one of our debaters – they made the season amazing.

And of course, none of this would be possible without the incredible dedication and talent of our many coaches and volunteers.

There was much cheering and applause when David Coates of Humboldt High School won the award for Community Coach of the year, and South’s Erick Taggart won the award for Teacher Coach of the year.

All of our coaches and volunteers do so much for the students. They know that debate is a powerful tool that helps their students follow their dreams and change the world.
Victor Cedeño, Director of Networks and Education Policy for Generation Next, gave the opening speech at the celebration, and told the room about his own experience debating and acting as a debate coach. Like Victor, our debaters will use the skills they polished at the debate podium as they go on to great things.

At the end of the day, everyone went home tired, happy, and well-fed with delicious tacos from Boca Chica.

And there was also cake. And then, very quickly, there was not any cake.

Thank you to everyone for a wonderful High School debate season! See you next year!