Good Prep=Good Results

It's always nice to see that hard work pays off, particularly when you see your child slaving over school work or debate prep. Happy to report great results from this past weekend's Big Bronx Tournament. The girls made it to the doubles round and ended up as the 12th seed in the Tournament, and one took 5th Speaker award! But it didn't come easily - lots of prep, practice and strategy in advance of the event - not to mention the on-the-fly adjustments to arguments and intrigue once into the competition. Just as with sports, it's good to see kids respect a worthy opponent. They know a great team when they hear them, and the girls were admiring a number of their debate compatriots when it was all over. Exhausted? You betcha. But how gratifying.

Oh Noez! Da Big Bronx.....

Maybe it's because we sometimes lapse into the "Can have cheeseburgerz" LOLcat language around here, but I seem to think of The Big Bronx Tournament this weekend in LOL phrases. My "team" - daughter and partner - are 2-1 as of this writing. Much prep and back and forth before the event; 2 nights of endless printing of blocks and evidence, cups of coffee, theorizing about how to beat this team or that one. You can cut the tension with a machete here before a tournament, between the actual anticipation and preparation, and the mad rush to jam all the school work before and after. When we picked up last night, adding a third friend and schoolmate to the mix, we wondered how they still had the energy and passion to get into the gory details of each round after a full school day and 2 rounds. They were gone this morning by the crack of dawn, and we received the update just an hour ago.

When you stick debaters in the back seat of your car, you never know what will happen. There was brain storming on strategy, your requisite cattiness about this one or that one, anticipation of what today's rounds would bring - and a real, tangible reminder that when you challenge high school kids to rise to the top, they'll take their best shot. Of course, a lot of the talk went on at a speed and a sound level I really couldn't consistently follow. Nonetheless, it was inspiring. Can't wait to hear today's results!

And so, it begins anew

As I write, my daughter and her debate partner are at the dining room table, videoconferencing with a mentor about their new debate strategy, to be debuted this weekend at an out-of-town tournament. I'm really amazed at the amount of work and strategery that goes into fashioning an effective case.

I attended a PTA meeting this evening where the 2009-10 PTA budget was discussed, including the disbursement for the Debate Team. Let's just say there were a healthy number of skeptics in the crowd....definitely less informed about the skills and confidence that debate builds. Hopefully, they left the meeting more aware of what a debate program can do, not just for the debaters themselves - as was so effectively pointed out by a 12th grade debater -but also for the academic environment, because students bring their abilities to express themselves and reason right back to the classroom. Money well spent, indeed.

To your debater, much success in this academic year! (And keep your fingers crossed for my girl and her partner!)

Debate: The Civilized Antidote

The news in the last 2 weeks has provided numerous - and ugly - examples of the breakdown of civil discussion and behavior in our nation.Now, I'm not saying that debate cures all that...but it does provide a very positive example of the strength of ideas, the power of commitment, and a healthy respect for process. Kids learn how to fashion an argument, buttress it with facts, follow a procedure that allows for a full hearing without interruption, and finally, an opportunity for a case to be decided on its merits. I was wondering last night how many members of the US Congress might have been debaters. Now there's an idea: maybe I'll just do some fact-checking myself.

Maybe we should issue an invitation to Representatives and Senators to attend NYUDL and other debates?

New Year, New Challenges

Wow. That was fast. School has started. Arguments (no, not the ones you had this morning over what to wear and what tie to be home) are being created. "Cards are being cut." (Attention, Hallmark: there's a market for you in the debate world, somewhere.) Evidence is being processed.

And students are getting ready for another year of killer competition. Kids, thanks for the thrills. Parents, your support means so much. Coaches, you get 'em motivated and out there to local, regional and national tournaments where they demonstrate how very skilled they are. THANKS TO ALL!

Yes, friends, it's the start of another year of Debate. And building on last year's great success here in the NYUDL, it's going to be great.

Were you at last spring's Banquet with your Debater? What a terrific afternoon - fantastic food (thank you parents and supporters), amazing spoken performances and-best of all - the sheer pleasure of seeing hard work rewarded. Awards and citations were presented to top debaters, coaching staf and parent volunteers. So much excitement!

I see the wheels already in motion for the 2009-2010 season. I visited with Will Baker in August, and he has great hopes for this year. We'll be putting special emphasis on finding new sources of financial support, particularly corporate and foundation grants, to support the programs and maybe even grow a little. If you have any ideas or contacts, please share!

And until next time, get ready for speed reading, funny breathing, affs and negs, great performances and VICTORY!