Staying Curious when Offered a Different Perspective
Before joining SVUDL, the issues that East Palo Alto’s Eastside College Preparatory School senior and SVUDL student Stephany Urbina-Diaz were curious about were limited to those that existed around her personal bubble of reality.
“After SVUDL, I was able to learn about the global issues that affect us now, even when they are not staring at us directly in the face. I have been pushed to research about topics related to this year’s national Policy debate topic of emerging technologies, and have since learned about how different relations across countries influences our lives and our health. I was reminded that global issues are real, relevant and are happening, and that there are real people tackling the issues we debate about in our rounds of competition,” reflected Stephany. “In a way, I have learned how to problem-solve with debate. You set up a plan and advocate for it, but are willing to learn your opponents’ questions and concerns, in order to create a workable solution related to the topic.”
Every time she participates in SVUDL events, she is amazed by the competence of her peers. “When I see that students love the SVUDL community so much that they come back to judge rounds, I can see the direct impact SVUDL has on students and alumni. SVUDL is able to educate students on real issues, and prepare them to resolve those issues as the generation of the future,” said Stephany.
She joined debate last year, as a junior in high school. She was drawn to Policy debate because it was similar to mock trial, a club that was previously offered at Eastside. “Reading the topic itself is what captivated me most, and I found myself becoming more and more curious as I read about the topic. For example, before joining SVUDL, I was not aware of what fracking was, its negative influence on minority communities, and what could be done to limit its harms,” said Stephany.
This year, she has been able to expand her knowledge on NATO. “This is the most challenging and interesting topic I have learned about, because NATO is a complex organization, with many different rules, regulations and alliances. To be pushed to question why organizations in our world matter, their purpose, and their impact on our lives is a privilege,” shared Stephany.
Looking ahead to the college process, she knows she will meet peers with views that oppose her own. Thanks to SVUDL, she feels prepared to be open minded when discussing the issues in the world, and to continue questioning and staying curious when someone offers a different perspective. “ “It matters when we are able to talk about why our views oppose one another - different perspectives allow for a change of understanding. To embrace different perspectives is a good thing, and SVUDL has equipped me to do that, by allowing me to argue for multiple sides of a debate,” said Stephany.
