Jack and Kim Meijia of the Fremont Federation of High Schools Talk Debate.

With 2 days left, we thought we’d feature, of course, a two-some.  Although they do not debate together, the Meijia twins of the Fremont Federation of High Schools in East Oakland represent a rich BAUDL tradition of sibling debaters — embodying how BAUDL is a family in and of itself.

Despite starting this year, Jack and Kim are Varsity debaters.  Introduced to debate at the first Oakland Workshop in October, they have been a staple at BAUDL events — including this past workshop where they sat down to reveal why they debate.

For Kim, debate is not just about winning, but about “making strong points, learning about myself, and providing strong persuasive arguments.”  Jack, on the other hand, loves “finding the contradiction in arguments” and even “catching when people mess up.”  On top of going over arguments and catching each others’ contradictions, both intend to prepare by going over all the evidence and looking through cards.  Of course, the big question is the first thing they would do in New York City should they qualify this weekend.  “Concerts,” they exclaimed.  “We’ll go to concerts as our reward for making it.”  Of course, they clarify, after they debate.

Participants in the BAUDL December Workshop, Bright and Early.

On December 5, 2009, about 50 eager debaters in Oakland and San Francisco gathered at Emiliano Zapata Street Academy and Mission High School, respectively, to discuss the debate resolution, debate strategies, and excitement over the upcoming National Qualifier on December 12 and 13.  Led by a talented team of award winning debaters at the University of California, Berkeley (affectionately referred to as “The BAUDL Bears”), the curriculum accommodated to Novice and Varsity debaters alike.  Over a half dozen schools across the Bay participated in the event — an event which featured flow drills, mini debates, resolution scenarios, and a discussion in the Novice lab so heated that a group of debaters from Oakland’s Ralph J. Bunche Academy stayed for more.

The next workshop will be on January 23, 2010.  Until then, we’ll see you this Saturday!

This Saturday, December 12 and 13, is not just a tournament about our Varsity debaters — it is a showcase of our new talent as well.  One up and coming team that will be represented in a strong pool of Novice debaters is Coliseum College Prep Academy (CCPA), coached by Nicole Henderson.  The school, located in Oakland, is a small, but mighty force of 3 committed debaters inspired by (in Henderson’s words) the “opportunity to have a voice,” the ability to “advocate for change,” and to “understand the power in [our own] voices.”  The future “political advocates” plan to prepare for this upcoming tournament in a series of ways: flowing exercises, going through evidence packets, pulling arguments, practicing rebuttals and, best of all, encouraging one another.

We hope to see all debaters, Varsity or Novice, Oakland or San Francisco, at the Fremont Federation of Schools (4610 Foothill Blvd.) on Saturday and Sunday!

EXCEL Academy's Tanesha Walker Prepares for Saturday at the December Oakland Workshop.

Why should you be excited for the National Qualifier at the Fremont Federation of High Schools (4610 Foothill Blvd.)?  What are you doing to prep aside from thinking of debate?  Two Varsity debaters, Tanesha Walker, of EXCEL Academy, and Wyllene Turner, of Street Academy, describe what Saturday means to them — and share tips on how they intend to prep for some incredible rounds on December 12 and 13:

Tanesha:

I am excited about the tournament because I just created an affirmative case that I really want to run.  Also, if I get to go to New York City, [my coach] Sebastian [Castrechini] said I can shave off part of his beard.  I am preparing by writing my case, going through kritiks, doing debate whenever I can and talking to friends who went to debate camp.

Wyllene:

I love debate, so I am excited.  On tournament days, I wake up early and sometimes do not want to go, but the moment I arrive and think ‘Let’s go for it,’ — and I do.  I would also like to qualify to go to New York City!  As a team, Street Academy is thinking of good strategies and going to practice.

T-Minus 4 days and we hope that you, Varsity or Novice, experienced or new, are doing the same!

In less than 5 days, several talented debaters will convene at the Fremont Federation of High Schools to compete for a chance to go New York City.

In less than 7 days, we will find out who the two lucky teams are.

As our varsity and novice teams prepare for what is sure to be an exciting tournament, two of the 2009 BAUDL National Qualifiers offer their experiences at the National Tournament in Chicago.  Jessica Winsey, a 2009 graduate of Street Academy, and Mya Whitaker, a 2009 graduate of Skyline, write about what Chicago meant to them — and why prepping for this week’s tournament is a must:

Mya:

Visiting Chicago for Nationals was an amazing experience for me.  It gave me the chance to make life-long friends and network with kids from across the national who were just as excited to be there as me.  It will always be a lifelong memory.  It was a fun experience and we were finally able to see how other Urban Leagues function – and that the other debaters were not “weird, smart kids,” but normal kids like us coming from urban areas as well.  Going to Nationals is an empowering experience.  I felt like I could do it.  And I did it.

Jessica:

Going to Chicago was a magnificent experience.  I had never been to Chicago before and it was the best experience ever — and it was FREE!  We had awesome opportunities visiting historical sites like the Heritage Museum and the Chicago Art Institute — and a beautiful, 6 story mall.  We also went to the Navy Pier and got the amusement park experience.  And of course, we ate authentic Chicago food: Gino’s East (featured on Food Network!) which is known for their famous Chicago pizza.  On top of all that, we met friendly people from all over the country.  The tournament gave us some real bonding time.  We did more fun stuff than people do on vacations that they do not think about.  It was not all about debating, it was also about connecting.  I made friends with people from places like Detroit that, to this day, I still talk to.  I can’t stress how awesome that trip was.  I could write a book bout it.

But then you would have to see it for yourself.  GO BAUDL!

Who will offer next year’s words of wisdom?  Will it be you?  Find out on December 12 and 13!

Balboa High School's Miranda Pettiford (Balboa PK) at the Mission High Tournament.

The most anticipated tournament of the season — the National Qualifier — is upon us!  This is the tournament when the stakes are high — when the arguments and the hard work translate to incredible debates, trophies, and the chance to compete at the National Tournament in New York City.

Get pumped for this exciting competition to be held on December 12 and 13 at a new site: The Fremont Federation of High Schools (4610 Foothill Blvd.)!  All members of the community — students, teachers, coaches, judges, family members — are invited to watch some of the area’s most talented debaters vie for a spot to represent the Bay Area in New York City in 2010.  Whether you are competing, adjudicating, or observer, you won’t want to miss it!

Of course, the big question is not whether we will see you on December 12 and 13 at the Fremont Federation of High Schools…

Will we see you in New York City?