Get Up From Your Chair to Change Your Community

Graham Haworth is a teacher at Independence High School in San Jose where he teaches English, AVID, and Journalism/Yearbook. He is also the Speech & Debate Co-Advisor. When he was a student in high school, he took a Speech class in high school where he learned the basics of Speech and Debate, but he was never on a Debate team.

He worked as a journalist for over a decade before becoming a teacher, so he spent many hours covering sometimes contentious school board meetings, city council meetings, and county supervisor meetings. Through this experience, he recognized the valuable role that a meaningful back-and-forth discussion in the community can serve.

The partnership with SVUDL aligns with Independence High School's mission organically as it is designed to meet students where they are currently and to give them every opportunity to learn and educate themselves about the world around them.

“Oftentimes, students ask ‘when will I ever use this in the real world?’ This is a question every high school student has asked themselves at some point. Through SVUDL, the real world comes directly to the students. The students are wrestling with challenges that the world and our community are facing right now. In a way, Speech and Debate represents the real world perhaps more than any other activity on campus. They are learning about not only real issues that are affecting real people right now, but they are learning how to form an opinion, how to back up that opinion with facts and research, and how to use that research to rebut counter-arguments. In short, students are thinking critically about the world around them. Critical thinking, in my opinion, is the basis for any civilized discussion, and without civilized discussion, how are we supposed to move forward as a society? It's an important question to ponder in today's increasingly fractured world,” reflected Graham.

The partnership with SVUDL creates new opportunities for students, and the experiences of Speech and Debate imparts the kind of skills students will use throughout their individual pathways.

“I think the most important skills students can learn through Speech and Debate are crafting arguments and counter-arguments on issues that they might not originally agree with – this skill allows students to think holistically about an issue, and to go beyond the argument that there are only two sides to any issue. In reality, the issues our students are debating are sophisticated and go beyond just what is right versus what is wrong. Being able to approach an issue thoughtfully, from all sides, broadens the minds of young people. It encourages them to remain open minded about a topic they may not originally have believed in, and this may lead to some empathy for those who may not believe in the same things. Empathy is something this society needs more of and although you don't have to agree with someone, if you know the reasons why they believe what they do, then a conversation is easier to have. This may lead to compromise and understanding,” said Graham.

The connection between SVUDL school partnerships and pathways to college and beyond often shows how debate carries over its impact into adulthood.

Graham Haworth

“I return to the concept of critical thinking – meaning ‘thinking about what you're thinking about’ – metacognition. Giving young people the skills to examine their own thoughts and beliefs leads to a more open-minded adulthood. So many people get stuck in their ways and beliefs at an early age. They can carry those beliefs with them throughout adulthood, even when faced with evidence that their beliefs are incorrect or even harmful in some ways. In fact, numerous studies have shown that many adults, when provided with research and facts that refute their beliefs, simply double-down on their original beliefs. This is harmful to a society that should rely on the free flow of ideas, on being able to accept that sometimes beliefs and opinions should change when presented with new evidence,” said Graham.

Students take this partnership, education, and life experience forward to make positive changes in their own community. “Advocates for change are needed in any community that wants to remain vital and responsive to the needs of the community as a whole. If the status quo is not working for large swaths of our community, critical thinkers are needed to spearhead discussions about what kind of change is best for the most number of people in a community. Critical thinkers can not only educate fellow community members, but they can also listen to what community members are yearning for in society. Speech and Debate students are well-equipped to not only let their voices be heard at city council meetings, in our state and national legislatures, and at our peaceful protests, but also between individual community members,” said Graham.

He has many hopes and dreams for the students participating in Speech and Debate. He'd love for his students to become the best possible versions of themselves, and to realize that education doesn't stop when you graduate from high school, or even college.

“Becoming a lifelong learner, and being open to education throughout their entire lives, – those would be lofty and meaningful goals I'd like to see all of my students achieve,” said Graham.

Graham also reflected on the weighty topic of the lines between Speech and Debate and the pandemic, distance learning equity issues, and protests against systemic and racial inequality.

“I think one of the most damaging byproducts of the pandemic was the isolation our young people felt, and many of them ventured to social media and other digital technology to try and fill that void. Unfortunately, technology and social media is a poor facsimile for real, face-to-face communication. While communication via social media is most often fairly shallow, speech and debate demands attention to detail and focus from its participants, which leads to deeper discussion and deeper understanding of the issues our world faces. For example, it's one thing to support or follow the Black Lives Matter movement on social media, or to change your profile pic to support marginalized groups, but that doesn't lead to real substantive change. Change comes from getting up from your chair, putting down the smartphone, and engaging with your community in real-time, in-person. These are the skills that Speech and Debate can teach,” said Graham.

The Difference is that My Sport Is Speaking

SVUDL has changed Julian “JJ” Christensen’s perspective on his life. “SVUDL has made me more confident as a person. The ability to go to tournaments and participate and compete has given me the confidence to actually follow through on something and finish something. I feel it’s the same sort of confidence that other more physical athletes get from other sports. The difference is that my sport is speaking,” shared JJ.

SVUDL has also impacted JJ’s goals for the future. “Learning the mechanics and skills necessary to deliver a good speech allows me to open up doors for myself. As somebody who wants to be a journalist in the future, it has made me less afraid of voicing my opinions and more comfortable telling stories,” said JJ.

Many things strike JJ as impactful about his experiences within SVUDL “SVUDL is a very kind and friendly environment. The atmosphere at every tournament I have been to has been nothing short of delightful with no drama and no issues with other competitors. I have made good friends with other people in between rounds. When I first started I learned to look up to those who were better than me, and it feels like everyone is trying to learn from each other the best they can. It’s a great vibe,” reflected JJ.

JJ first got involved with SVUDL when Kwodwo Moore taught debate at Summit Everest High School in Redwood City. JJ took his class during quarantine, and then again the year after. “This year, we were finally able to start a debate club and start participating in tournaments which I especially enjoy. Competing is incredibly rewarding, especially when I am up against other really talented people as I often am,” said JJ.

His favorite SVUDL memories are the time spent with teammates and other SVUDL students learning from one another and hanging out. “These are some of the best memories I will probably ever have,” shared JJ. “The college application process has been tough, but fun-ish. I’m mostly through with it now. When I head to college, I know that the SVUDL skills I will take will be public speaking and teambuilding.”

Maridel’s Journey: A Story of Bananas and Emails

Yerba Buena High School student Maridel De Los Reyes holds many leadership roles at her school.  Not only is she Debate Society Varsity Captain, but she is also Mock Trial President, Knitting Club Co-President, Rising Phoenix Lion Dance Club Co-President, and Filipino Student Union Co-President. 

“I have a 4.0 and although I’m in so many leadership roles, I don’t think I’m the smartest person there, but I do think that I’m one of the hardest working,” reflected Maridel. “I wanted to join Speech and Debate in freshman year. I signed up at club rush but I never got an email back. I thought I had gotten rejected!”

It is funny how things turn out.  Maridel did end up joining Speech and Debate in her junior year. 

“That is a bit late for some people, but though late, I think it’s one of the best things that has ever happened to me. My whole journey to finding the debate team was very long and complicated,” said Maridel. “ I joined the Santa Clara County Court online event Color of Justice that my school announced through email and SVUDL had a part in organizing it. At the end of the event, Rolland talked about how SVUDL had Speech and Debate programs across high schools in Silicon Valley and Yerba Buena High School came up. They left their email in the chat, so I emailed SVUDL that same day. There was a long line of emails that ensued but each one left out a piece of information. Luckily, I was able to ask my friend where Ms. La’s classroom was and the rest is history.”

“I joined and was immediately introduced to a group of people who were compassionate yet strong. I learned a lot from our seniors (now alumni). They taught me the basics of debate and pushed me to do better. They also made debate feel like a home,” shared Maridel.

Bananas play a huge part in Maridel’s debate prep.  “I have a pre-round ceremony. I really love bananas and how reliable they are, so I eat a banana before each debate round. Sometimes I eat two. I have never lost a single round after eating a banana, so I will keep doing it. Eating bananas also keeps me full and my mind alert so that I can think properly.  I would describe myself as a banana. A resilient plant that sprouts back up and is ready to face the world any season: a fruit that grows from its heart,” said Maridel.

Maridel’s journey to join the debate team itself was a long and winding one, involving lots of communication errors, but it taught her that if she can communicate well, she can achieve what she wants. 

When she finally joined the debate team, she found a community of people who were driven but warm. She had little confidence in her voice, but they reminded her that her voice is something she can work on and deserves to be heard. 

Debate helped Maridel gain the confidence to stand up to the teacher that gave her a grade she did not feel she deserved, and her Impromptu Speech rounds have made writing timed English essays easier. Most of all, debate has taught her about the importance of caring. It hurts when her opponents ruthlessly attack arguments she holds dear in debate. Even so, she keeps going. She highlights the stories she cares about; she has come to find that her opponents’ arguments are lessons. 

“I’ve started to see losses as opportunities to learn and grow. Talks with my fellow debaters helped me realize what I cared about, and with less fear of failure, I found myself forming clubs and participating in activities I cared about in my community,” said Maridel.

The partnership with SVUDL brings new perspectives to students. “At my school, I think lots of kids don’t think they’re cut out for doing bigger things, or that they should aim higher. I think a lot of them are stuck in an ‘I’m not good enough’ mentality and take less time to dream. I felt that way too at one point, but Speech and Debate has helped me improve my confidence,” shared Maridel. Recently, Maridel and her partner earned the privilege of traveling to Dallas to compete in a national championship tournament. She notes, “I'm excited to see Texas! I’ve never been to another state, and have always wondered just how different America is across state borders. I can’t wait to see Texas for myself and represent SVUDL! Of course, I’m also excited to meet some of the best debaters in the country and anxious to debate against them, but I’m grateful for the opportunity, so I am going to give it my all!

“Through debate, I’ve met students from schools from outside of my district, who I probably would not have met otherwise. Debate taught me how to manage my time and set goals for myself, as making files for arguments involves so much time and research. I think that will translate well into the future,” said Maridel.

She thinks the only way to make proper positive change is for citizens to be critical thinkers, resilient, and passionate. SVUDL is a great way to foster those skills, as by nature, every debate round leaves someone with a loss. Before debate, she was really afraid of failure. She has learned that failure is natural and really a stepping stone for moving forward. 

Yerba Buena Speech and Debate Team

“Debate rewards passion and critical thinking about issues across our communities and the world. I’ve learned a lot about the world through debate, which has been invaluable for changing how I view it. SVUDL also hones your voice! It  taught me that when I speak, I deserve someone who listens, so when you help students become good orators and thinkers who can take failure and keep going, people will listen, and that’s always a step toward change,” shared Maridel.

She has hopes and dreams for the students participating in Speech and Debate. “The warmth I’ve felt in debate is something I want to share with others, so when I see our novice debaters working hard, improving, and winning, I always try to show them how proud we are. I hope I help them see debate as a safe space to learn, have fun, and come home to, just as it has become for me. The warm community of debate has given me the confidence to stand up for myself and act on the things I love,” said Maridel.

Our society is facing unprecedented levels of uncertainty.  Learning to tolerate and navigate this uncertainty is top of mind.  Speech and Debate helps to build resiliency in students, which in turn shores up their ability to cope. “Half of the teams in any debate round leave with a loss. Failure is unpleasant but normal, but improvement is always possible. Knowing that no one can take away that ability to improve is great. So, knowing that even when the world is scary, you still have that agency and the ability to speak up if you want to and people who will listen is key. It is so important and helps students cope with any fears they may have,” said Maridel.

The relentless cadence of headlines are a constant backdrop to our lives and issues often arise about Speech and Debate and the pandemic, distance learning equity issues, and protests against systemic and racial inequality. SVUDL provides a space to talk about these issues and think about them critically.  

“If you feel very passionately about it, or your opponent does, a lot of research goes into crafting those arguments, so you learn a lot from your rounds. It’s always educational when we go against opponents who bring up issues like these or when my partner and I form our own because we’re able to test possible solutions and possibilities in the future. When I debate about scenarios I’m afraid of, opponents often help ground me in reality by offering counterarguments and stopping me from spiraling into a fear-mongering crisis!” said Maridel.

There is a saying:  goals are like bananas – they come in bunches. Maridel clearly has a love for bananas and for achieving goals. We can’t wait to see what her potassium-fueled adventures add to her life goals next.

Color of Justice: Imagining a Path to Justice

Adapted from a press release from Santa Clara County Superior Court

On Thursday, February 23, 2023, the Santa Clara County Superior Court Community Outreach Committee hosted the Superior Court’s third Color of Justice program. The Color of Justice Program is designed to promote diversity in the legal profession and in the justice system as a whole, and to provide students, who may or may not have previously envisioned a career in law, a greater understanding of the many pathways and opportunities available to them within the legal field. 

“Making sure the justice system mirrors the makeup of our society is one way we can build confidence in the idea that the system is not for or against any one group of people, but instead pursues justice for all,” said Hon. Julia Alloggiamento, Chair of the Court Community Outreach Committee and SVUDL Board member.  “The Color of Justice event is designed to broaden the perspective of youth by exposing them to various professions such as judges, attorneys, social workers, probation officers, law enforcement, youth justice advocates and more.  By hearing the heartfelt and real stories of panelists who worked their way into a position in the legal system despite significant life challenges, we hoped that students would be able to envision themselves in these roles that have the potential to improve outcomes for individuals, as well as increase trust and confidence in the administration of justice.” 

Attendees included a wide range of students located throughout the County of Santa Clara, from eighth graders to high school students. As the host of the event and City of San Jose native, Hon. Julia Alloggiamento started the day by highlighting the changes in the makeup of individuals working in the justice system just during her lifetime, before moving the event into courtroom observations.  Throughout the course of the event, intimate discussions among students and small group leaders who were hand selected based on their role within the County’s justice system were overheard, conveying commitments to achieve personal goals and brainstorming approaches to accomplish them. Two panel discussions were offered, the first focusing on the life paths of the panelists involved, followed by a panel promoting resources and programs available to youth.  Panelists included Judges, members of the Public Defenders and the District Attorney’s Offices, the Probation Department, law enforcement, and numerous organizations dedicated to promoting student education and diversity in the legal profession (see below).  The personal pathways to careers within the justice system presented by the panelists demonstrated to students that despite personal challenges and vulnerabilities, success in one’s endeavors is within reach. 

Associate Justice Charles Edward Wilson, the Sixth District Court of Appeal remarked during his keynote speech, “We are very lucky in the State of California to have a very diverse population.  Every race, national origin, and religious affiliation are represented in our communities.  But when you look in our courtrooms and law offices, you wouldn’t necessarily know you were in the State of California.  So when I see an audience like this, with so many diverse and wonderful students, I say to myself – ‘this is our opportunity to have more diversity in the room (justice system).’” 

The Superior Court is grateful to all of the attendees, panelists, and organizations that helped make this event happen. Special thanks to Lincoln Law School, Pathways to Law, and the Silicon Valley Urban Debate League (SVUDL). 

Chloe Truong, SVUDL co-captain and student at Independence High School in San Jose, reflected on the experience, sharing “This event really opened my eyes. I am so grateful to be introduced to different perspectives, especially because a career in law is always portrayed as this far-reaching dream. Listening to all the panelists made me realize how important representation is and how if I really want to pursue this career - I can.”

SVUDL Students Introduced to Voting Rights through Debate Centered Instruction

Andrew Hill High School’s Social Justice and Advocacy class had the opportunity to learn about the struggle for voting rights in California and across the nation from both a renowned activist and a famous journalist during a 2.5 week unit co-taught by English teacher Damien Quach and SVUDL’s own Director of Programming, Dr. Robert Burns from October 22-November 9.

Students began the unit with an introduction to the struggle for voting rights and voter turnout in California from Jonathan Mehta Stein, the Executive Director of California Common Cause. Stein shared the historical advancements made in California to ensure automatic voter registration and universal vote by mail, but noted that voter turnout among people of color throughout the state continued to remain low when compared to total turnout. He shared that more must be done to mobilize immigrant communities where limited English is spoken, and outlined his own work advocating for ballots to be available in languages other than English. Students were very engaged when Stein recounted his own upbringing in an immigrant community in California and explained how his passion for justice led him to organize around lowering the cost of college for students during his time as a student at UC Berkeley.

After hearing from Stein and learning about the history of the struggle for voting rights in the civil rights movement, students examined arguments for and against Voter ID laws as presented by activists across the ideological spectrum from the National Review to the Brennan Center for Justice. They constructed cases for and against the institution of Voter IDs, focusing on three questions:

1. Is voter fraud a real threat to democracy or an excuse to limit the franchise?

2. Do voter ID laws place unnecessary obstacles in the way of a fundamental right or are they necessary to secure the integrity of the electoral process?

3. Do voter ID laws disproportionately affect the turnout of communities of color?

Forming teams of seven, students worked to construct a policy brief centered on one of the three controversial questions. At the end of the first half of the unit, students presented their arguments, cross-examined members of the other team, and offered rebuttal speeches during two hour-long debates.

In the second half of the unit, students examined arguments for and against a federal policy to ensure voting rights - the Freedom to Vote Act. This piece of legislation was proposed by Democrat Amy Klobuchar in the Senate and supported by President Joe Biden. Students examined arguments on both sides of the issue and created cases for and against the Freedom to Vote Act, focusing on three questions:

1. Do proposals such as automatic voter registration, vote by mail, and same day voting risk an increase in election fraud or are they necessary to ensure democratic participation?

2. Is it primarily the responsibility of the states or the federal government to regulate elections and ensure the right to vote?

3. Would the policies contained in the Freedom to Vote Act actually work? Would more Americans exercise the right to vote if the bill were passed?

Forming teams of seven, students again formulated and defended briefs on each question. They then presented their arguments in a second series of two hour-long debates. After one of the debates, Mr. Quach noted, "The kids enjoyed it and were engaged, there was laughter and they liked going up against each other." He confirmed that they also learned more than they would have in a lecture format. He concluded, "It was a win-win!" The experience was a testament to the way debate centered instruction can engage students and increase class participation by involving students in the process of formulating and presenting arguments.

On the final day of the unit, students had an opportunity to hear from Jessica Huseman, the editorial director of Votebeat, a nonprofit newsroom covering voting and elections. Jessica is a regular guest on CNN as a political analyst. She owns and operates The Friendly State News, a nonprofit training company for local newsrooms and freelancers. She is a graduate of Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism, and has taught journalism and public policy courses at Columbia University, NYU, and American University. Jessica discussed the role of local officials in the voting process, and made a convincing case to students that without a significant federal investment in the infrastructure of voting, the technology used to register voters and record ballots, the federal requirements in the Right to Vote Act would be difficult for local officials to implement.

Thank you to all of our guest speakers for empowering our students to delve deeper into the nuances of voter laws and policies!