Palabras con poder: The Debate en Español High School Championship
Students from across the Twin Cities gathered to do what they have been preparing for all season: argue, persuade, and advocate, entirely in Spanish. The Debate en Español High School Championship was was a celebration of language, community, and the kind of courage it takes to stand up and speak, especially in light of Operation Metro Surge.
Against The Odds
Minnesota is home to the oldest and largest Spanish-language debate program in the United States, despite ranking 36th overall for percentage of Spanish speakers. This is only possible because of MNUDL’s dedicated coaches and enthusiastic volunteer base. A season like this doesn’t happen without a village, and even in light of fear, our village showed up in force.
To our judges: thank you. Debate en Español runs entirely in Spanish, which means we depend on fluent Spanish speakers to evaluate rounds, give feedback, and affirm the work our students put in. These are community members: professionals, educators, parents, alumni. They give their care and expertise so our students could compete. Your presence in the judging chair sends a message to every debater that their language has value, their arguments deserve to be heard, and their community is paying attention. That the largest Spanish debate program in the country can keep growing is a direct reflection of your generosity.
Speakers Who Inspired
We were honored to have two community leaders share their voices at this year’s Championship.
Jessica Mendoza, Admissions Counselor at Augsburg University, spoke about the doors debate opens up for students, including full tuition scholarships to Augsburg University. Augsburg has been a home and a partner for MNUDL, and Jessica’s message reflected Augsburg’s values: the critical thinking, the confidence, and the ability to advocate for yourself that you build in debate are exactly what higher education is looking for. You belong in those spaces.
Kay Carvajal Moran, Commissioner for the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board, also addressed the room. Her presence was a reminder that the skills forged in debate, like confidence, civic engagement, persuasion, and leadership, are the very skills that shape our communities. The debaters in that room are becoming our future commissioners, counselors, coaches, and community leaders.
Our community built the Debate En Español league because Latine youth in the Twin Cities deserved a competitive space that honors who they are. And we sustain it because, year after year, a community of students, coaches, judges, families, and partners refuses to let it stop, even against impossible odds.
Congratulations to this year’s champions. You earned it.
¡Felicitaciones a todos!
Tournament results
Principiante (Novice) Division
Partnership Awards:
1: Vanessa & Arjun (Andersen United)
2: Itzel & Noemi (Andersen United)
3: May & Daykell (Roosevelt)
4: Ameila & Tarsys (Como Park)
5: Jorge & Jefferson (Como Park)
6: Ashley & Ricky (Roosevelt)
7: Gwen & Thomas (Andersen United)
Speaker Awards:
1: Vanessa (Andersen United)
2: Arjun (Andersen United)
3: Jorge (Como Park)
4: Ashley (Roosevelt)
5: Gwen (Andersen United)
6: Adamaris (Roosevelt)
7: Itzel (Andersen United)
8: Karen (Roosevelt)
9: Ricky (Roosevelt)
10: Jefferson (Como Park)
11: Diana (El Colegio)
12: Tarsys (Como Park)
13: Noemi (Andersen United)
14: Thomas (Andersen United)
15: Jair (Roosevelt)
Avanzado (Advanced) Division
Partnership Awards:
1. Aimy & Emily (Edison HS)
2. Juliana & Paula (Como Park)
3. Xitlali & Vaness (El Colegio)
4. Karolain & Nathaly (South)
5. Darwin & Asha (Andersen United)
6. Ciara & Anat (Roosevelt)
7. Nica & Oliver (Anderson United)
8. Leslie & Valeria (El Colegio)
9. Anahi & Layla (Edison HS)
10. Michael & Eliza (Anderson United)
Avanzado (Advanced) Speaker Awards
1: Aimy (Edison)
2: Nathaly (South)
3: Juliana (Como Park)
4: Nica (Anderson United)
5: Emily (Edison)
6: Paula (Como Park)
7: Lisbeth (Roosevelt)
8: Vanessa (El Colegio)
9: Belen (North St. Paul)
10: Valeria (El Colegio)
11: Anahi (Edison)
12: Oliver (Andersen)
13: Xitlali (El Colegio)
14: Valeria (Roosevelt)
15: Leslie (El Colegio)
16: Karolain (South)
17: Michael (Andersen United)
18: Eliza (Andersen United)
19: Jade (North St. Paul)
20: Darwin (Andersen United)
