Congratulations to Kevin Hirn and UTNIF staff member Misael Gonzalez! (Misael is also an alum of the UTNIF 6 week program, the Summer Survivors.) A great accomplishment for two outstanding young debaters.
Here is what Leonard Gail of the NAUDL board of directors had to say:
The President hosts the Chase Urban Debate National Champions and Top Speakers
On Thursday, July 22, President Obama welcomed to the Oval Office Misael Gonzalez and Kevin Hirn from Whitney Young High School in Chicago, Shagun Kukreja from University High School in New Jersey, and Michael Barlow from Grady High School in Atlanta. Misael and Kevin are the 2010 Urban Debate National Champions. Kevin, Shagun, and Michael were the top three individual speakers at the Chase Urban Debate National Championship in April. With Misael and Kevin was Chicago Debate League Executive Director Les Lynn. Shagun was joined by Marcia Brown, a Board member of the Jersey Urban Debate League. James Roland, Director of Programs for the National Debate Project and NAUDL Board member, accompanied Michael Barlow from the Atlanta UDL.
Like thousands of urban debaters across the country, these four student champions are proving that when the playing field is level, our debaters have the potential to achieve great things, and even to find themselves in the Oval Office—today as visitors, but perhaps tomorrow as hosts.
In addition to meeting President Obama, the students toured the nation’s capital and met with lawmakers including Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, National Economic Council Director Larry Summers, and over 10 Senators and Representatives.
Secretary of Education Arne Duncan speaks to UDL representatives including Shagun Kukreja, Kevin Hirn, Michael Barlow, Sylvia Nelson Jordon (Chicago Public Schools), Eric Tucker (NAUDL), and Linda Listrom (incoming NAUDL Executive Director)
Seeing former debaters who have become influential leaders of our nation inspired Shagun Kukreja. She told an audience of government and civic leaders, “Looking out at all of you who were once where I am today - a high school debater - I see my future in your eyes.”
This visit reminds us just how far the Urban Debate Network has come. Nearly four years ago, the NAUDL undertook an ambitious Expansion Plan backed by debate supporters like you. Since then we have launched or revitalized 10 Urban Debate Leagues serving over 145 schools. This fall, 2,100 additional students will have the opportunity to debate – a prospect they would not have otherwise had.
We invite you browse photos from the students’ entire visit.
The NAUDL Board would like to thank Northwestern University debate legend Michael Gottlieb and the NAUDL staff for making the visit possible. While there are no guarantees in this rarefied air, the NAUDL will work to make such a trip for Urban Debate standouts an annual event.
Join us in congratulating these students and the UDLs from which they hail. We look forward to sharing more news with you soon about the future of urban debate.
Leonard A. Gail
On behalf of the NAUDL Board of Directors
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