“With the help of teammates, my coaches, and even myself, I learned how to try my hardest when things are difficult in debate.”
– Cherish, Tartan High School
In their own words
Debate makes a difference in students’ lives. We also know that debate works because students tell us how.
Crystal
Crystal, who competed in the MSHSL debate program, spoke in front of the Twin Cities mayors, Minnesota’s Governor, and First Lady about the value of debate in her life.
“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 really allows Crystal to discover who she is and what she wants to do.”
Jose
Jose earned a full scholarship to Augsburg University after competing in the Spanish Debate League at Roosevelt High School.
“The biggest thing is debate really helped me grow my communication and cooperation skills, especially when meeting new people. It’s something crucial at a time in my life where networking and meeting other people and building connections is so important. Debate really helps kids from smaller minority communities who come from different backgrounds and different economic situations to excel – regardless of what’s going on in their lives.”
Paula
Paula was a member of the Spanish Debate League at Como Park Senior High School. She was a finalist at the National Association for Urban Debate Leagues’ UDNC at Harvard University. She says:
“I never imagined it would take me as far as it did. I lost my very first competition, but that defeat actually fueled my excitement. From then on, I focused and worked hard. Every time I won, it felt magnificent to me, as I wasn’t accustomed to winning or finishing at the top. However, debate taught me that if I put in the effort, I have a voice and can achieve great things. My final debate was bittersweet; knowing it was my last one, a flood of memories rushed through my mind. I want to thank my coach for always supporting us and helping me grow in the sport. Sincerely, debate was the best experience I had during high school.”
Kiernan
Kiernan debated with the MNUDL in middle and high school, eventually assistant coaching at her old middle school debate team. She was recognized with the Tamar Kaplan Award and MSHSL Heart of the Arts award for her service.
“Stepping into the role of a coach for middle schoolers shifted my perspective entirely. I focus on helping them manage the visceral stress of public performance and, more importantly, teaching them how to engage respectfully with disagreement. In an increasingly polarized world, teaching a thirteen-year-old that they can disagree with someone’s ideas while still respecting their humanity is perhaps the most radical and necessary skill I can provide. Debate transformed me into an active participant in my own life and the lives of my students. This journey has cemented my sense of purpose: I want to be a lifelong advocate for mentorship and education.”
“The teaching force and the students don’t match each other. The teaching in the classroom isn’t always equitable. I’m being the change. I’m trying to be that person, for a kid, that I never had.”
“I remember the incredible amount of research we did at camp: picking apart articles, building your research and kritiks. That kind of in depth research is very similar to what I do to write research or a grant application. I need to refine the research down to exactly what I need. There are still times when I think about writing as a kritik or framework argument, even when writing something scientific.”
“Debate made it clear that policy was more impactful in people’s lives than I previously believed. My enhanced understanding of the importance of policy outcomes was an impactful step in my development into policy stakeholder I am today.”
