“Urban debate teams make it cool to be smart and work hard in the inner city,” said Duncan. “And they are a fantastic outlet for harnessing the competitive instincts of young teens and channeling them into building the skills they need to succeed in a knowledge-based, global economy. Urban debate teams must be promoted and celebrated.”

Secretary of Education Arne Duncan

On Thursday, April 12, 2012, at the National Association for Urban Debate Leagues Annual Dinner, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan gave an important speech identifying urban debate as a powerful tool in leveling the playing field for urban students. He noted that urban debate helps develop essential skills for college readiness, career success, and civic engagement. Duncan identified competitive debate as one of the great equalizers of educational opportunity in urban schools.”

Read his speech here!

The BAUDL crew on the Washington Mall.

Two teams just returned from Washington DC after becoming the first BAUDL teams to break to the Sweet 16 at UDL National Championships. Kim & Jack Mejia-Cuellar from Fremont High, and Jason Auro & William Hampton-Bruce of California College Preparatory Academy, represented the Bay Area against more than 75 debaters from 18 other cities.

There was non-stop action from the moment we left on a redeye flight Wednesday, April 11^th until we returned on Sunday. On Thursday, April 12^th we attended the NAUDL Annual Dinner, where BAUDL had the opportunity to meet and interact with NASA Administrator Charles Bolden and Jack Mejia-Cuellar asked US Secretary of Education Arne Duncan about his plans to increase high school graduation rates for urban students.

Touring the PBS NewsHour Studio.

Friday was a full day of sightseeing. BAUDL watched the Great Space Debate at the National Museum of Air and Space and visited the National Museum for Natural History. BAUDL had the opportunity to visit Ryan Saxe, a BAUDL Bear who currently works on the staff of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. Ryan lead us on a tour of the US Capitol including Senator Reid’s office in the Capitol, followed by a visit to the PBS NewsHour to see the show being taped.

Continue reading ‘BAUDL Debaters break into “Sweet 16″ at UDL National Championships’