Berkeley begins on January 30 at Dwinelle Hall!

It is official — with the BAUDL UC Berkeley tournament only 2 days away, we are awaiting the arrival of great debate teams, argumentation and judges…and crossing our fingers for a bout of great weather. Fortunately, we’ll be starting our tournament in a great place: Berkeley’s Dwinelle Hall. Whether you are a community member, judge, debater, or coach — plan to meet in Dwinelle’s courtyard for the day’s activities.

For those who will be joining us for at UC Berkeley, be it one of our wonderful debaters, our hard working coaches, or our gracious and dedicated volunteers, we wanted to provide some resources for navigating one of the biggest campuses on the west coast:

• Click here for a schedule of the day’s events.
• Click here for directions to Berkeley’s Dwinelle Hall.
• Click here for an official UC Berkeley Campus Map.

BAUDL Wikispace: The (debate) world at your fingertips.

Need to see a list of disclosed arguments? Want to share a case or an argument with others? Want to exchange coaching resources? How about a confirmation for a BAUDL debate event? Check out the official BAUDL Wikispace — open in time for the UC Berkeley Tournament!

Cal Prep's Sania Mahmaud will be at UC Berkeley -- will you?

January is an exciting time at the Bay Area Urban Debate League (BAUDL) — on January 21, despite rain and distance, over 40 students made the trek to Alameda, officially kicking off the second semester with rounds of free bowling. Showing off their array of talents (or, in some cases, that debate was truly the right activity for them…), the event featured the community and camaraderie that has become BAUDL’s foundation. Two days later, rigorous workshops were in full swing in Oakland and in San Francisco. Theory and transitions were the main topics of conversation as debaters prepared for the main event.

Yet, the most exciting event of January will occur during the month’s end — on January 30, teams will face off at the renowned University of California, Berkeley. This is a particularly exciting tournament since many formerly Novice teams will officially move to the great unknown –- an unchartered territory known as the Varsity Division. Exciting, terrifying, anxiety-ridden, but ultimately worthwhile (and not as scary as it seems), the Berkeley tournament anticipates the large influx of brave and brilliant new Varsity teams this semester.

Putting a face to our many transitioning teams is Sania Mahmaud, a first year debate at California College Preparatory (Cal Prep). Together with her partner, Yami Mchombo, a well prepared Sania will be debating in the Varsity Division for the first time. Sania represents the courageous plunge into Varsity debate.  She sat down for a few minutes at the Oakland workshop to talk about what debate means to her and her multi-lingual talents.

Continue reading ‘The Faces of the UC Berkeley Tournament on January 30′

A BAUDL round is never complete until there is a judge in the back.

With events like the January 30 Bay Area Urban Debate League (BAUDL) tournament at UC Berkeley right around the corner, we’d like to spotlight individuals who are integral to our competitions – our volunteer judges!

BAUDL is fortunate enough to have a rich pool of talented, intelligent, and devoted volunteer judges. Diverse in age, occupation, and experience, the typical BAUDL judge is difficult to reduce to a mere prototype. Nationally ranked college debaters, former high school champions, members of the community, curious passersby who suddenly become hooked to the vision of our organization — BAUDL judges vary in their backgrounds, but are united in the vision to bringing debate to all Bay Area classrooms.

One such judge is Amy Kessler, a familiar face on the BAUDL circuit for more than a year. Kessler, a dedicated and thoughtful judge, is an example of how our volunteers come from all walks of life and, most of all, of how essential volunteers are to making BAUDL’s mission a reality.

Continue reading ‘Spotlight: BAUDL Judges’

Rashid Campbell and Kayla Wheatfall (Skyline CW) showcase their hard work in 2009.

It is a new decade and as BAUDL bookends its 2009-2010 season, we have plenty in store:

• January 23, 10-3 PM: BAUDL Workshop @ Street Academy in Oakland and Mission High School in San Francisco
• January 30: BAUDL Tournament @ UC Berkeley
• February 12 and 13: University of California, Berkeley Invitational — free for BAUDL Debaters!
• February 20, 10-3 PM: BAUDL Workshop @ Street Academy in Oakland and Mission High School in San Francisco
• March 6: BAUDL Tournament @ Balboa High School in San Francisco
• April 3, 10-3 PM: BAUDL Workshop Street Academy in Oakland and Mission High School in San Francisco
• April 17: BAUDL Tournament @ Skyline High School in Oakland
• April 24: Chase National Tournament in New York City
• May 15 and 16: BAUDL League Championship! Site TBD

At the Bay Area Urban Debate League, our debaters are frequently in the spotlight, yet some of our hardest working and dedicated individuals work behind the scenes, the students, and the trophies: our coaches. Formal journalists, energetic teachers, devoted after school coordinators, professionals who traverse the bay to volunteer — we have an eclectic, talented group of people advocating for our students.

Two individuals who embody the mission statement of BAUDL are Tracey Burns and Gena Barsotti of Emiliano Zapata Street Academy in Oakland. Both teachers at Street Academy, they spend their weekends (both at tournaments and to host workshops!) and after-school hours polishing the arguments of a small, yet mighty team. The two explain how they got started with BAUDL and what keeps them coaching:

How long have you been an educator?

Tracey Burns: I have been an educator for all my life, but an official one for 9 years. I teach English Literature, writing and quilting at Street Academy.
Gena Barsotti: I have been teaching a year and a half. I teach History, debate, and drama at Street Academy.

How did you get started with BAUDL?

TB: I debated in LD for Oakland Tech and founded the Junior Statesmen program there as well, so when [BAUDL Board Member Dmitri Seals] came over a year ago, it was an automatic “yeah!”  I was always interested in bringing debate to the classroom.
GB: When I started at Street Academy, Tracey requested that I be a co-coach. Although I did not know the technical side of debate since I did not do it in high school, I became really interested in the social studies perspective. How do we solve social issues? For me, it is not about winning, it is about the social justice focus we have at Street Academy and discussing social issues!

What is the most rewarding part of coaching a debate team?

TB: Getting students interested and having them ask questions, wanting to know more, wanting to learn something and being eager to research.
GB: Many times, students who do not excel in a traditional academic environment turn out to really enjoy debate. Students can become academically successful because they feel like they are not ignored and can do well in their classes.

Do you have a specific moment or debate memory that is your favorite?

TB: There are so many moments, but we have one student that has clung on to debate. Debate has been the only thing keeping him in school. Now, he is a better student and he knows that he can do it.
GB: Like Tracey mentioned, we have a student who loves debate and has improved academically — he made the Honor Roll for the first time. Also, watching the students function as a team is great. We do not have to lecture our students to come to practice, workshops, or tournaments. They do it themselves because they are a team, a family — their brother’s keeper. We hold our students to high standards and they know to keep their word. They understand that when they make a commitment, there is not just an “I”.  There are others involved too.

Balboa High School in San Francisco and EXCEL Academy in Oakland. That’s who! The duos of Zach Delle and Alan Lin (Balboa DL) and Tanesha Walker and Daemiion Yaphet (EXCEL WY) were the top two teams, respectively, at the National Qualifier on December 12 and 13. Both teams will go on to represent the Bay Area at the Chase National Tournament in New York City in April! The teams will be accompanied by their coaches, Sebastian Castrechini and Eric Wilcox. From all of us at BAUDL and beyond, congrats!

The team of LaTorree Howard and Denaya Clay (Skyline CH) represents in finals!

David Fong and Kira Turnball (Skyline TF) showing off their Novice Division grand prizes!

As the sun started to set over the Fremont Federation of High Schools in East Oakland at the Bay Area Urban Debate Leagues’ National Qualifying Tournament, the heat had yet to dissipate between two varsity teams. Despite fighting for first place on stage, both teams were already triumphant winners. This spring, the Bay Area will be well represented at the Chase National Tournament in New York City by two teams from both sides of the Bay: Zach Delle and Alan Lin (Balboa DL) of San Francisco’s Balboa High School and Tanesha Walker and Daemiion Yaphet (EXCEL WY) of Oakland’s EXCEL Academy. Accompanying them throughout the 7 round journey (and to New York City!) are their respective coaches: Eric Wilcox and Sebastian Castrechini.

After an intense, yet educational final round on December 13, the champions of this winter classic were Zach Delle and Alan Lin of Balboa. In a hard fought debate against EXCEL Academy’s Tanesha Walker and Daemiion Yaphet, healthcare clashed with the economy — treating both teams to a preview of the National Tournament’s rigorous argumentation. In the Varsity Division, the two teams prevailed over tough competition. Zach Seidl and Greg Belvin (Skyline SB) of Oakland’s Skyline High School, owners of a perfect record in the preliminary rounds, and Cal Prep’s Carlene Ervin and William Hampton Bruce (Cal Prep EB), deemed a “dream team” by many observers, were the tournament’s semi-finalists. Among a stacked quarter-finalist pool in the Varsity Division were Skyline’s talented duo of Rashid Campbell and Kayla Wheatfall (Skyline CW) along with fellow teammates Maya Juergens-Ingle and Santiago Madden (Skyline JM). The aforementioned teams, along with Seidl and Belvin, helped bolster Skyline to the most represented high school in the tournament’s elimination rounds.  Rounding off the top eight and showing off incredible skill and strategy on home turf were Fremont’s Juan Ramos and Jazmin Garcia (Fremont RG) as well as the champions of this season’s Inaugural Tournament, Natassija Jordan and Briana Martinez (Cal Prep JM). The sheer breadth of the varsity pool, both in preliminary rounds and in the final rounds, are a testament to BAUDL’s gifted students.

The top speakers of the Varsity Division were a diverse mix of new and familiar faces. At his very first varsity tournament, adding to his newly minted National Qualification, was the tournament’s Top Speaker, Zach Delle of Balboa High School. Separated by less than a third of a speaker point was Natassija Jordan of Cal Prep. Rashid Campbell of Skyline, Carlene Ervin of Cal Prep and Maya Juergens-Ingle were also among the tournament’s top five speakers. Among the top ten were Fremont’s very own Kim Mejia and Jazmin Garcia along with Skyline’s Kayla Wheatfall, Zach Siedl, and Greg Belvin.

Yet, not to be outdone were the participants in the Novice Division, vying for coveted prizes and the chance to compete on day two as one of the top teams. In finals, it was a Skyline closeout — a rousing debate between finalists Denaya Clay and LaTorree Howard (Skyline CH) and David Fong and Kira Turnball (Skyline TF). In the end, the difficult decision was made: David Fong and Kira Turnball were named champions. The semi-finalists included the tournament’s second seed (undefeated in preliminary rounds!), Tina Chen and Sarah Kay (Balboa CK) and Cal Prep’s Jamiah Sanders and Aaliyah Harrison (Cal Prep SH). Separated by mere points and on the brink of elimination rounds were Street Academy’s Luis Montoya and Arnold Torres (Street MT) as well as Downtown High School’s Will Renderos and Jennifer Farjardo (Downtown RF).

Capping off the top speakers were tournament champions Kira Turnball and David Fong of Skyline, respectively, with a first and second place speaker award finish. Along with a semi-final showing, Aaliyah Harrison of Cal Prep earned bragging rights as one of the top three speakers. Street Academy continued a strong showing with Alejandro Benitez and Luis Montoya among the top five speakers.

Finally, a big congratulations was extended to Skyline High School. The school, among its many honors, was awarded the Sweepstakes award.  Cal Prep, a small, yet mighty force, was given the team Spirit Award.

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!

EXCEL Academy's Tanesha Walker and Dameiion Yaphet show off their National Qualifying win!

Click here to see Tanesha Walker of CBS 5′s Students Rising Above