Ever seen The Great Debaters? The small debate team that I started three years ago might come from a high-needs school, but it is definitely on its way to becoming great.
Last year, one debater came in 2nd in a national oratory contest, another was a quarter-finalist (i.e.
top eight in the country!) at the Harvard Invitational tournament, three qualified for the New York State Championship....and the list goes on. They are some of the hardest working kids with some of the most rigorous programs in the school, and they're aiming high not just in terms of debate but also in terms of college (one of my debaters is now a freshman at MIT, another at Harvard).
My Project
Unfortunately, the principal has no money to give us this year. None. If we want to debate, we need to provide our own everything - from timers (needed for rounds) to paper (needed for research and cases). The kids have accomplished amazing things without much, and I know that these resources will help them even more.
We already have almost a dozen freshmen and sophomores training to join the team this year, but I need help providing them with the resources they need to be great.
With your help, I can give these kids and the returning debaters what they need to truly be great debaters this year.
More than three‑quarters of students from low‑income households
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
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