Washington Urban Debate League - WUDL

read all about the Washington Urban Debate League's trip to NY this past weekend. Spoiler....we won the JV Division and a bunch of other trophies

https://urbandebatewashingtondc.org/college-park-wins-jv-division-of-ny-fall-face-off/

College Park Academy's Agbor / Onyilofor won the New York Fall Face-Off's JV Division in their 2nd regional competition ever. They beat a great team from Newark Science to do it, and became the 2nd Washington Urban Debate League team ever to win a JV division at a regional competition.

Live from NY Update: Girls Global Academy debates College Park Academy Public Charter School in JV Semi-Finals, at least 1 Washington Urban Debate League - WUDL will be in JV finals v Newark Science!

Live from New York-- WUDL Teams from Phelps Architecture, Construction and Engineering High School, School Without Walls High School, Banneker, Girls Global Academy, Eliot-Hine Middle School, BASIS DC, and College Park Academy Public Charter School fighting to reach elimination rounds

We are so proud of this fantastic contribution by Emmanuel Makinde, a former Debater of the Year finalist and an alumnus of the Washington Urban Debate League. His article is featured on the Newsweek Mightier hub!

NYU student rekindles "adventurous flame" through debate NYU pre-med student Emmanuel Makinde engaged "bizarre ideas" via meaningful discourse when he joined debate at his Washington, D.C., high school.

Just a few hours left of !

A small donation can make a substantial difference by covering tournament fees, coaching stipends, and travel costs, paving the way for significant success in both academic and post-high school journeys.

We are so close to reaching our 10k goal, and we are grateful for the opportunities to serve our students. Thank you for being part of our journey as we conclude 2023 on a strong note and eagerly anticipate a promising 2024

https://www.givelocaltogether.org/o/urbandebate

"Debate is an activity that stimulates critical thinking skills, and encourages students to view current and historical events from multiple perspectives. It allows students to engage with real world topics and engage in educational discussion in an understanding environment. This makes it different from other activities because it relies on each student's individual investment in their own argument, their own speeches, to best inform and convince the judge's ballot in their favor. Because of the complex topics discussed, and depth of which they are interrogated, many students gain an opportunity to learn outside of what is provided in a school environment. Regardless of education, gender, race or background, everyone is provided equal opportunity to learn and bounce off each other in the debate space." - Madison McCauley, WUDL Debater

Tomorrow is Giving Tuesday! A heartfelt thank you to our dedicated students, coaches, generous supporters, and understanding parents. Your contributions make our amazing community possible.
Support our students. Give today.

https://www.givelocaltogether.org/o/urbandebate

“I think debate is different from other activities in the way it has enabled me to build relationships with intellectuals nationwide and develop informed perspectives on current events and developments within our nation; it has given me a platform to advocate my opinions and meet really great people! Another reason I believe debate is fantastic is because it teaches one the processes of research and argumentation which not only stimulates one’s intellect but also helps in building confidence in a way that is fun and enjoyable.” - Leah Pierce, WUDL Debater

Help other students like Leah reach their goals to achieve their dreams. Support our students. Give today.

https://www.givelocaltogether.org/o/urbandebate

🌟 Exciting news! Our very own David Trigaux presented at the National Communication Association Conference, talking about the liberatory power of debate! 🗣️✨

“Debate is unique because it is a place to go in-depth into a particular topic. Whatever I find myself interested in, I know that debate is a place where my ideas will be respected and that by the end of every debate round, I can be sure that I will have learned something new. Debate offers the opportunity to form connections across the country. Urban Debate Leagues, in particular, provide an encompassing support around every debater that I am so grateful for.” - Akesh Mallia, WUDL Debater

Help other students like Akesh reach their goals to achieve their dreams. Support our students. Give today.

https://www.givelocaltogether.org/o/urbandebate

🎉 Join Us this Saturday as a Judge at the WUDL Thanksgiving Throwdown! 🎉

🗓 Date: Saturday, November 11th
🏫 Location: Eastern Senior High School

We offer flexible full-day or half-day shifts, and a fun, engaging atmosphere! Your contribution makes a difference. Sign up today to judge!

https://washingtondebate.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/washingtondebate/event.jsp?event=8&

WUDL Thanksgiving Throwdown Join us for the 3nd tournament of the WUDL Season at Eastern Senior High School.

Happy first day of November! As the holiday season approaches, it's time to give back to our communities and those in need. And what better way to do so than by participating in Giving Tuesday for Washington Urban Debate League!

This year, Giving Tuesday falls on the 28th of November, and we're encouraging everyone to join in on the spirit of giving. Whether it's making a donation to WUDL, volunteering your time at the upcoming Dragon Tournament, or simply spreading awareness, every little bit counts. So mark your calendars and get ready to make a difference this Giving Tuesday!

https://www.givelocaltogether.org/o/urbandebate

Only a few more days till our WUDL Halloween Classic! We need 20+ more volunteer judges for the event. Register today!

https://washingtondebate.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/washingtondebate/event.jsp?event=3&

Today, we remember a dear friend and former colleague, Cydney Edwards. Their time with us left an indelible mark on WUDL, and their impact is still felt within our debate community.

We will take a moment to remember Cydney E. at this weekend's tournament, and we recognize that the impact she had on numerous young people will last a lifetime. It was a blessing to have known her, and may her legacy serve as a call to action to continue the vital work she started.

Please keep Cydney's family and loved ones in your thoughts during this challenging period.

We invite members of the debate community to join us on Thursday night between 6-7:30 PM Central Time to remember the life and impact of Cydney Edwards. This will be a relatively informal space to share memories, photos, stories and just hold space for one another the way Cydney often held space for each of us.

We invite those who loved Cydney to join us for all or part of the time on Thursday. Please feel free to share this link with her friends and colleagues from the debate community.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82164857973?pwd=TzZrNnVLMEZsd1JIRW1EVlFrc2Z2dz09

Read all about the WUDL Season Opener @ Deloitte's VA offices

https://urbandebatewashingtondc.org/wudl-season-opener-deloitte-30-percent-larger-than-last-year/

Remembering Keoni Orlando Scott-Reid

Reflections on competition:

Reflections on Competition: Remembering Keoni Scott-Reid – urbandebatewashingtondc.org National circuit debate is really competitive. It’s supposed to be, a gathering of the smartest and most dedicated students in the country who are well versed in this year’s topic, government policy, critical theory, social movements and so much more. Many teams are coached by former debaters an...

Stop the presses! BASIS DC's Mazumdar and Choi made history last weekend at the Georgetown Day Invitational. They earned the first TOC bid in Washington Urban Debate League history!

https://urbandebatewashingtondc.org/wudl-travel-team-from-basis-dc-gets-1st-toc-bid-in-league-history/

Are you ready to make a meaningful impact? 🤝 Join us at Deloitte on October 14th as a judge for the WUDL Season Opener! 🗓️ Enjoy complimentary meals, judge training, and the chance to support students on their journey of debating about economic equity. Sign up today!

WUDL Season Opener 2023 Join us for the beginning of an exciting new debate season!

Big Shoutout to Our Amazing Sponsors! 🙌

We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to all our sponsors who have joined us in support of urban debate and I RESOLVE! Thank you for believing in our mission and helping us make a positive impact with every student reached in DC!

Join us tonight, October 5th, from 5:30 to 8:00 PM at The Cato Institute or livestream.

Don't miss out on tonight’s event—register and invite a friend!

https://t.co/UXRt2hz7aG

🗣️ Join us on October 14th at Deloitte for the WUDL Season Opener! 🎉 We're looking for passionate individuals to be judges at this exciting debate tournament. 📚✨ Make a difference in the lives of young debaters and witness their brilliance firsthand. Register now!

WUDL Season Opener 2023 Join us for the beginning of an exciting new debate season!

Meet Leah Pierce from BASIS DC, our final debater for I RESOLVE! 🎉

Leah’s passion for debate is all about intellectual growth and critical thinking.

“I like debate because of the educational clash it produces, and the perspectives it allows me to discover. Being able to test my research and views on emerging and complex ideas has enabled to me critically think about multifaceted topics and to articulate those thoughts. Engaging in debate, undoubtedly, stimulates one's intellectual growth and ability to problem-solve."

Join us this Thursday, October 5th, from 5:30 to 8:00 PM at The Cato Institute or livestream

Don't miss out on this event—register today and invite a friend!

https://t.co/UXRt2hz7aG

Get ready for I RESOLVE! Meet our first debater, Akesh Mallia, from School Without Walls High School 🏆

Akesh reflects on the profound impact of debate on his life: “Debate is important to me because it gives me a microphone I would not otherwise have. With this microphone, I can share solutions for the problems my community faces. Debate is unique in that these solutions can be tested repeatedly in debate rounds. Walking out of every round, I love that I now have the habit of iteratively learning and improving from feedback or tough questions.”

I📅 Thursday, October 5th, from 5:30 to 8:00 PM at The Cato Institute

Don't miss out on this event—register today and invite a friend!

https://t.co/UXRt2hz7aG

BASIS DC Choi/Mazumdar heading to the bid round!

Washington Urban Debate League - WUDL has BASIS DC Choi/Mazumdar, School Without Walls High School Balk/Neuroth, and Capital City Public Charter School Villaflor / Pessey in elimination rounds!
Congrats to Banneker Academic HS McCauley/Primus who also went 4-2 but didn't advance.

Washington Urban Debate League Villaflor / Pessey is 4-1 heading into the last round of GDS!

We also have teams from Benjamin Banneker Academic High School, BASIS DC, CMIT Academy North High School, Charles Herbert Flowers High School, Eleanor Roosevelt High School (Greenbelt, MD), Frederick Douglass High School (Prince George's County, Maryland), and School Without Walls High School who have at least broken even thus far, 3 are guaranteed to be 4-1 or better, and everyone has won at least one round!

Oh yea...and we brought twice as many kids as last year too!

Lots of Washington Urban Debate League - WUDL teams winning their first rounds at the Georgetown Day Invitational!

Keep it up, and come visit us on Thursday, Oct. 5th, for I-RESOLVE!
Register today!
https://t.co/UXRt2hz7aG

We are officially one week away from the I RESOLVE debate! 🗣️

We're so excited to return to our nation's capital to launch this year's I RESOLVE public debate series with the Washington Urban Debate League - WUDL

Register for the Event: https://bit.ly/IRESOLVE-DC23

🌟 Join Us at the I RESOLVE Debate Event 🌟

🗓️ Date: Thursday, October 5, 2023

📍 Location: Washington, DC or Livestream

📣 We're thrilled to co-host the I RESOLVE Debate Event with the The Cato Institute and National Association for Urban Debate Leagues! Our passionate students will be diving deep into the issue of social inequality and its impact on our communities.

Register now and mark your calendars! 📅

I Resolve: A Public Debate on Economic Equity Disagreements over the necessity or wisdom of policies to advance economic equity have riven the country and Washington in recent years.

Washington Urban Debate League is off the the races at the first competitive opportunity of the season!
Banneker Academic HS and Creative Minds International Public Charter School are competing at the Lexington 2nd Year Invitational as you read this!

Washington Urban Debate League - WUDL is looking for Community Coaches!

We need YOU! to partner with a local school and help them debate this season. Community Coaches are the lifeblood of the WUDL community, and make debate possible for hundreds of students each year. Training and curriculum available, some debate experience preferred.

Most practices take place after school (3-4 PM, varies by campus), so schedule flexibility is key.

Message us for details

From the field:

WUDL Coach: "22 kids came to yesterday's practice...Last year's first practice was 10, so yes its good!"

The Washington Urban Debate League season is officially underway, and we're getting notes like this all over the city. Want a team at your school, or an assistant coach at an existing program?

Now's the time, contact our team today!

Check out the winners of the Matthew Harris Ornstein Summer Institute Competition and get a sneak peek of who might do well during the season!

https://urbandebatewashingtondc.org/9th-annual-matthew-harris-ornstein-summer-debate-institute-awards/

Read all about the excellent 9th Annual Matthew Harris Ornstein Summer Debate Institute!

https://urbandebatewashingtondc.org/9th-annual-matthew-harris-ornstein-summer-debate-institute-a-big-hit/