February 7, 2024 | By David Rivera
Liderando a Través del Español
Los debatientes del programa de Debate en Español (DeE) de la Liga de Debate de Boston (BDL, por sus siglas en inglés) constantemente están mejorando sus habilidades de oratoria, persuasión y análisis crítico para participar en diferentes competencias. Sin embargo, recientemente un grupo de cinco estudiantes tomaron los roles de jueces y entrenadores en el torneo de debate de la Liga Urbana de Debate de la Ciudad de Nueva York (NYCUDL, por sus siglas en inglés).
Durante las reuniones de la Asociación Nacional de Ligas de Debate Urbanas (NAUDL, por sus siglas en inglés) se discutió el deseo de expandir las oportunidades para las divisiones en español. Como parte de las iniciativas, Amisha Mehta, directora ejecutiva de NYCUDL, extendió la invitación a los estudiantes de la BDL a formar parte de uno de sus torneos de escuela media como jueces e instructores.
Cinco estudiantes con envidiables trayectorias dentro del debate representaron a BDL en esta competencia. Estos debatientes también representaron a sus respectivas escuelas: BINCA, Brighton High y Everett High.
Esta invitación de NYCUDL consistía de dos partes: una conversación con tres abogados de un bufete de abogados y la participación dentro del torneo como jueces.
Tres abogados latinos de Morrison Foerster, se sentaron con los estudiantes para compartir sus experiencias. Dentro de muchos otros, la conversación consistió sobre las diferentes carreras dentro de la abogacía, las ventajas laborales del bilingüismo, y los obstáculos de ser parte de una minoría. Esta conversación inspiró a los debatientes a estar orgullosos de su latinidad e idioma y muchos de ellos están interesados en seguir una carrera relacionada con leyes.
Antes del torneo, los estudiantes aprendieron acerca del formato de debate de NYCUDL (foro público), desde las reglas hasta el propósito de cada discurso, para poder ser jueces calificados. Además, los debatientes prepararon una ronda demostrativa para los estudiantes de Nueva York.
En el día de la competencia, los estudiantes de Boston pusieron en práctica sus habilidades de escucha activa a la hora de juzgar a los debates de Nueva York. Los estudiantes de nuestra liga quedaron sorprendidos con el nivel de argumentación y oratoria de parte de los debatientes neoyorkinos.
Luego de las rondas de debate, los debatientes de NYCUDL escucharon los argumentos de nuestros estudiantes en la ronda de exhibición, en la cual los estudiantes tomaron prestado argumentos de los propios debatientes presentados en el torneo.
La invitación de parte de la Liga Urbana de Debate de la Ciudad de Nueva York fue fructífera tanto para sus debatientes como para los nuestros, ya que, aprendieron el uno del otro. Este intercambio es importante para este grupo de debatientes porque logran crecer, no solo como debatiente, sino también como líderes dentro de su propia comunidad, que en un futuro, liderarán nuestro país.
The Debate en Español (DeE) varsity debaters of the Boston Debate League (BDL) are constantly improving their skills in public speaking, persuasion, and critical analysis in order to participate in various competitions. Recently, a group of five debaters took on the roles of judges and coaches in a Spanish debate tournament of the New York City Urban Debate League (NYCUDL).
During the meetings of the National Association of Urban Debate Leagues (NAUDL), there was a discussion about the desire to expand opportunities for Spanish-language divisions. As part of this initiative, Amisha Mehta, executive director of the NYCUDL, extended an invitation to BDL students to be part of one of their middle school tournaments as judges and instructors.
Five varsity debaters with impressive debate backgrounds represented BDL in this competition. These debaters also represented their respective schools: BINCA, Brighton High, and Everett High.
The invitation from NYCUDL consisted of two parts: a conversation with three lawyers from a law firm and participation in the tournament as judges.
Three Latino lawyers from Morrison Foerster sat down with debaters to share their experiences. Among other topics, the conversation focused on different careers in law, the career advantages of bilingualism, and the challenges of being part of a minority. This conversation inspired the debaters to take pride in their Latin identity and language, with many expressing interest in pursuing a career in law.
Before the tournament, the students learned about the NYCUDL debate format (public forum), from the rules to the purpose of each speech, to be qualified judges. In addition, the debaters prepared a demonstration round for the New York students.
On the day of the competition, the BDL debaters put their active listening skills to use when judging the debates in New York. BDL debaters were impressed by the level of argumentation and public speaking skills demonstrated by the New York debaters.
After the debate rounds, NYCUDL debaters carefully listened to the arguments of our students in the exhibition round, where the middle school debaters then proceeded to utilize them in their own rounds.
The invitation from the New York City Urban Debate League was fruitful for both their debaters and ours, as they learned from each other. This exchange is important for this group of debaters because it helps them grow not only as debaters but also as leaders within their own community, who will eventually lead our country in the future.
In 2021, Kim Willingham was named Executive Director – the first woman and first Black leader – of the Boston Debate League. Before being named ED, Kim served as the BDL’s Director of Culture and Engagement and prior to that as an Instructional Coach on the Debate-Inspired Classrooms team. Throughout her 20+ years in education, Kim has held multiple leadership positions. She began her career as a Teach for America Corps Member in the Crescent City – New Orleans, LA – where she taught 6th grade ELA and Social Studies. Kim earned an EdM from Harvard Graduate School of Education and a BS from Eastern Michigan University. Her experience also includes several years in school leadership and education consulting. Originally from the Motor City, she now resides in Dorchester with her two children. In her free time, she enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time in nature. Kim is grateful for the joy she gets to experience daily working with the students, teachers, volunteers, and staff of the BDL community.