Tag Archives: debate

Bellaire HS advances to “Sweet 16” round of global debate competition

Hundreds of debate teams from around the world entered the 2015–16 International Public Policy Forum (IPPF) competition, but only 16 remain — including HISD’s Bellaire High School. If Bellaire advances in the next round, the team will win an all-expenses-paid trip to the IPPF Finals in New York City on April 2.

Sponsored by the Brewer Foundation and New York University, the IPPF is the first and only competition that gives high school students from around the world the opportunity to engage in written and oral debates on issues of public policy. By advancing, the students remain eligible to win a $10,000 grand prize. The Bellaire High School team is one of only two teams from Texas to advance this round.

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Lamar HS named ‘National Debate School of Honor’

Lamar High School has been recognized as a National Debate School of Honor by the National Speech & Debate Association.

The National Speech & Debate Association is the largest interscholastic speech and debate organization serving middle school, high school, and collegiate students in the United States, and it presented the award to Lamar during its annual tournament held in Dallas over the summer.

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Come one, come all: Lanier MS opens debate camp to all middle-schoolers

Lanier Middle School’s debate team consistently is one of the top teams in the nation, and the team’s coach hopes to see the program expand to more middle schools.

Each year, Franz Hill holds summer camps for middle-school students interested in being a part of the debate team. This year, Hill opened the camp to students from all of the district’s middle schools, and the response was bigger than he expected.

“I let in about 34 kids each session, and had to turn people away,” Hill said. “The whole reason we opened it up to more students is because we want to see speech and debate grow in the Houston area. It shouldn’t be something that only students who go to a certain school get to do.” Continue reading

Bellaire HS debate coach receives two big honors

Jay Stubbs

School may technically be out, but it’s been a busy summer for Jay Stubbs, Bellaire High School’s speech and debate coach. He took a team to nationals, was inducted into the National Forensic League Hall of Fame and received the Texas Bar Association’s Leon Jaworski Award for Teaching Excellence in Law Focused Education – all in June!

“Being inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame and receiving this award from the Texas Bar Association mean so much to me,” Stubbs said. “How lucky I am to receive awards on behalf of the successes of so many of my students.”

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HISD, Houston Urban Debate League Host Summer Debate Camp

Houston ISD students had an opportunity to hone their public-speaking and debate skills at the sixth-annual Summer Debate Institute July 29–August 2, 2013, at Austin High School. Hosted by HISD and the Houston Urban Debate League (HUDL), 85 students from 17 Houston-area schools participated in the week-long camp.

“It’s been informative and really helpful in other aspects, because debate keeps you apprised of relevant topics,” said Joseph Collins, 12th grade camp participant. “It’s given me the ability to not only state my opinion but actually back it up and be able to do the research.”

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NHECHS students win HUDL city championship

The city champions from North Houston Early College High School in cross examination at the varsity (Edwin Pleitez and Hope Sauceda, center), and junior varsity (Luis Moreno and Luis Yanez) levels.

City champions and runners-up in varsity cross-examination will now advance to national debate competition in D.C.
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Character Court Breathes Life Into Story Book Characters at Roosevelt ES

Roosevelt’s annual Character Court Gifted and Talented  Expo was held on Friday, March 30, 2012.  Parents pushed the “On” button located on the floor to hear ethical debate between fairy tale characters like Red Riding Hood and the Wolf. Kindergarten and first grade vanguard students portrayed the story book characters.

Click below to view photos from the event.

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