Meet our Alums

I love debate because it’s challenged me to think harder. Whereas before I might be content thinking of one reason why a position might be justified, I now have to push myself to think of three more, as well as why all those reasons might be wrong. Debate has made me humble about what I can believe – it’s shown me that there is much more to uncover on both sides of a question than I have thought about, and it’s helped me break out of those shallows. From autism to art, from schools to sports, I’ve debated so many issues that I wouldn’t otherwise have understood.

I’ve made a family through debate, a family of people whom I connect with on so many levels because we care about the same issues and we can get unironically excited about them, and because being in a team forges close friendships – when so many of your precious moments in life are shared, you will always love the people you shared them with. Debate wouldn’t be the same for me without the community it’s given me.