Mentors

"Coaching helped open my horizons to how many more kids can be impacted by debate," Nashville Urban Debate League Executive Director Starr Rhee told Newsweek.

The former debaters and current undergraduate students say students coming to college with a debate foundation will contribute to better class discussions.

One student said that if it wasn't for World Schools, "I wouldn't have stayed in debate."

"I'm a motivator," debate coach Jessica Wright-Crichlow said. "I have words to give you to motivate you and tell you you can do this."

"Somewhere among these students are the leaders of the next generation," said D.C. elementary school teacher Miranda Metheny.

MNUDL Director Amy Cram Helwich says the community of debate "builds enthusiasm for learning that draws students back to school as well as practice."

Addis Arciniega, of the Silicon Valley Urban Debate League, says, "the resilience of women in the debate world keeps us all standing."

Robert Burns, of the Silicon Valley Urban Debate League, writes that "debate isn't just for after-school teams. It can transform classrooms and our society."

Olivia Northcutt-Wyly said the debaters must strive for inclusivity and accessibility "so more people can experience the transformative power of debate."

New York City Urban Debate League Chairman of the Board Eric Aboaf said debate is a journey of articulating, defending and adjusting one's stance.

Darren Kessler says that debate helps his students to build confidence and character, and learn how to navigate the world socially.

Amisha Mody Mehta says that it is "truly empowering students to become the next generation of diverse, informed and courageous leaders."

Gwen Walz told Newsweek she has seen the difference that debate has made "for all kids, especially kids who may not feel like they had a voice."

Judy Harris, co-founder of the Matthew Harris Ornstein Washington Summer Debate Institute, says the debaters' civility is "a model for an aching country."

Douglas Matute, who oversees a Debate en Español program, moved to the U.S. at age 15 and didn't speak any English but had "a stubbornness to not fall behind."

One student said Messai Yigletu has helped her learn to walk the "fragile line" of balancing self-awareness, humility and confidence.

Rachel Bruce told Newsweek that at one point, she recognized she "was being the exclusionary person," and that she had to "make a big change."

Debate coach Josh Hirsch told Newsweek, "It's so important that somebody who's adamantly pro-choice can at least understand why somebody would be pro-life."

A student debater changed Dallas teacher Kris Wright's career by telling him that he wasn't exposed to "things that are going to challenge your worldview."

Despite Silicon Valley's affluent reputation, Rolland Janairo says that "there are thousands of kids…who don't necessarily have access to that wealth."