The 2008-2009 Fremont Federation of High Schools team embodying debate success!
Proving that debate is more than just winning and losing, fierce argumentation and convincing judges, this week’s edition of the Journal of Negro Education features enlightening research on the incredible impact of debate. The study, which dissects a decade of urban debate via the Chicago Debate League, was led by Dr. Briana Mezuk of Virginia Commonwealth University and researchers at the University of Michigan. Joining forces with the Chicago Public Schools and the Consortium on Chicago School Research at the University if Chicago, Mezuk conducted research that highlights debate as a revolutionary tool in urban schools. Compared to their non-debater peers, participants in an Urban Debate League experienced boosts in student achievement. Among African American males, for example, the benefits of debate were extraordinary:
- Debaters were 70% more likely to graduate from high school and 3 times less likely to drop out.
- Debaters were 50% more likely to reach the “college ready” benchmark on the ACT English test and 70% more likely to reach the “college ready” benchmark on the ACT Reading test.
Is it the stamina is takes to debate, round after round, at a tournament? Is it the critical thinking skills gained from examining an argument from every angle? Is it the vast support system of Urban Debate Leagues like BAUDL? To unlock the answers on why debate leagues are successful, educational tools, visit The Evidence Center – a website that compiles facts, information, and research about debate’s benefits. Furthermore, briefs that thoroughly explain the enriching wonders of debate in urban schools can be found by clicking here.
If you have any more questions about this exciting research, please feel free to contact the National Urban Debate League’s Chief Academic Officer, Dr. Eric Tucker, at erictucker@urbandebate.org or, locally, Program Coordinator, Jen Nguyen, at jennifernguyen@baudl.org.
Cal Prep’s Natassija Jordan & Brianna Martinez (Cal Prep JM) with their Varsity Champion Trophies!
Street Academy's Kayla Vee (Street V) in the Varsity Final!
On October 10, over 80 contestants composing 43 teams spanning the Bay Area gathered at the Fremont Federation of Schools to start the new season at BAUDL’s inaugural tournament. The participant pool was rich in breadth, skill, and talent, producing incredible arguments and rounds at the largest tournament in BAUDL history.
If the novice division was of any indication, the exciting Skyline-Street Academy rivalry lives again this season. The top two novice teams were Street Academy’s Berlyn Traylor and Tevin Wright (Street WT) and Skyline’s Channon May-Brooks and Marcus Bartley (Skyline MB) – separated by a mere 2.5 speaker points to complement their perfect records. Other novice teams garnering 3-0 perfect records include the dynamic duo of Fremont’s Danyuana Jordan and Balboa’s Alan Lin – an exciting hybrid team representing both Oakland and San Francisco schools! Skyline’s Jayla Hayes and Greg Belvin (Skyline HB) and Jonathon Gordillo and La Torree Howard (Skyline GH) also walked away with trophies representing their 3-0 records.
Showing off their rhetorical skills in the novice division were a diverse group of top speakers: La Torree Howard of Skyline, Berlyn Traylor of Street Academy and Yami Mchombo of Cal Prep rounded out the top 3 speaker awards.
The novices were treated to a peek into their futures, witnessing the explosive final varsity round between solo, maverick debater, Kayla Vee of Street Academy (Street V) and Cal Prep’s Natassija Jordan & Brianna Martinez (Cal Prep JM). The round, which touched upon hot button issues like health care reform, President Obama’s recent Nobel Peace Prize, and the political capital of current politicians, was hard fought and intelligently argued. After an intense round of argumentation taking place on stage, before a full audience, Cal Prep’s Jordan and Martinez came out as champions. Along with talented teams, the varsity division consisted of an array of talented speakers. Natassija Jordan (Cal Prep JM), Kayla Vee (Street V taking home two top speaker awards!), Cerlene Ervin (Cal Prep EW) and Tenesha Walker (Street TW) were among the top five speakers.
Click here to see the top teams in the varsity and novice divisions!
Click here to see the top speakers in the varsity and novice divisions!
The highly anticipated tournament season begins on Saturday, October 10th at a new site: Fremont Federation of High Schools in Oakland (4610 Foothill Blvd)! Although the site has changed, our schedule and excitement have not. We will begin rounds promptly at 9 AM. Get ready for a new season with schools spanning the Bay at Fremont Federation of October 10th. All — competitors, judges, coaches, and members of the community — are highly encouraged to attend!
Please contact Program Coordinator, Jen Nguyen, at jennifernguyen@baudl.org if you have any questions or are interested in judging at our inaugural tournament! Hope to see you there!
