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DEBATE-Kansas City

(Developing Empowerment By Argument, Thought, and Engagement)

Fall Tournament Results
COME BACK SOON FOR PHOTOS!

Wyandotte Invitational November 7^th, 2000

1^st Place Sweeps Lincoln Prep

2^nd Place Sweeps Washington High School

3^rd Place Sweeps Central High School

4^th Place Sweeps TIE Wyandotte High School & Turner High School

Top 25 Speakers (no order)

JaNea Buckingham–Lincoln Prep

Danielle Cox–Central

Delaiah Hamilton–Lincoln Prep

Lichelle Leapheart–Central

Chris Peters– Lincoln Prep

Ben Thomas–Central

Ian Beier– Lincoln Prep

Edward Whigham–Central

Kong Vang–Washington

Phil Walker–Central

Cameron Morgan–Washington

Ross Farber–Wyandotte

Mary Hodge–Washington

Ciara Torez–Wyandotte

Heather Price–Washington

Haley Seals–Turner

Abiyah Moses–Washington

Nikki Williams–Turner

Jenson Newton–Washington

Jessica Lollis–Westport

Zackary Webb–Washington

Ashlee Wright–Ruskin

Steve Ramos–Washington

Mark Trammel --Southeast

Matt Nave--Northeast

Lincoln Prep Invitational November 21^st, 2000

1^st Place Sweeps Central High School

2^nd Place Sweeps Lincoln Prep

3^rd Place Sweeps Washington

4^th Place Sweeps Westport

Speaker Awards–Open

1^st JaNea Buckingham —Lincoln Prep

2^nd Chris Peters–Lincoln Prep

3^rd Lichelle Leapheart–Central

4^th Cameron Morgan–Washington

5^th Kong Vang–Washington

6^th Edward Whigham–Central

7^th Delaiah Hamilton–Lincoln Prep

8^th Heather Price–Washington

9^th Mary Hodge–Washington

10^th Jarita Lindsay–Lincoln Prep

Speaker Awards--Novice

1^st Richard Russ--Washington

2^nd Anthonia Akitunde–Lincoln Prep

3^rd Nakesha Hawkins–Central

4^th Jakiesha Lollis–Westport

5^th Jessica Samuels–Lincoln Prep

6^th Marion Wallace–Washington

7^th Tony Picanso–Lincoln Prep

8^th Kaylin Hall–Washington

9^th Jennifer German–Washington

10^th Kenneth Barr–Lincoln Prep

DEBATE-Kansas City’s Holiday Tournament December 9^th, 2000

1^st Place Sweeps Washington High School

2^nd Place Sweeps Northeast High School

3^rd Place Sweeps Central High School

4^th Place Sweeps TIE Lincoln Prep High School

Turner High School

Speaker Awards–Open

1^st Jermaine Hawkins–Washington

2^nd Adriene Hobdy–Northeast

3^rd Maesha Brooks–Central

4^th Marquia Johnson–Northeast

5^th Cameron Morgan–Washington

6^th Marylin Bruns–Turner

7^th James Huffman–Washington

8^th Lynda French–Central

9^th Shaunika Cotton–Wyandotte

10^th Jarsich–Turner

Speaker Awards--Novice

1^st Nakesha Hawkins–Central

2^nd Jenika Smith–Lincoln Prep

3^rd Delaiah Hamilton–Lincoln Prep

4^th Nick Tamborello–Van Horn

5^th Steve Ramos–Washington

6^th Marcus McNeil–Southeast

7^th Ian Beier–Lincoln Prep

8^th Robert Crenshaw–Lincoln Prep

9^th Jennifer German–Washington

10^th Zach Webb–Washington

11^th Robert Blount–Northeast

12^th James Stumpf–Washington

13^th Marion Wallace–Washington

14^th Dominique Hall–Washington

15^th Barbara Toliver–Central

Developing Empowerment By Argument,Thought, and Engagement,

That's what DEBATE-Kansas City means to many Kansas City high school students. Through a partnership between the University of Missouri-Kansas City and local school districts, DEBATE-Kansas City has re-introduced debate programs in local high schools that have not had active programs for years or even decades.

Why is Debate Important?

Because it teaches students to solve problems, do research, speak persuasively and stay up on current events. Most importantly, debate teaches students to think critically and logically and to present themselves and their ideas with confidence.

Beyond that, teens who debate are more likely to receive higher grades, attend college, avoid teen pregnancy, and escape drug use.

That's Why It's Exciting…

Students learn through:

• intensive summer training

• after-school and weekend workshops and tournament competitions mentoring by volunteers

Through DEBATE-Kansas City, participating high school teachers and principals learn how to organize a debate program and guide student preparation and research.

How it Got Started

"Debate teaches students critical, academic and personal success skills they need to get better grades, go to college and eventually create positive social changes."

Linda Collier, director ofDEBATE-Kansas City

Through her passion for debate, Linda Collier developed DEBATE-Kansas City in 1998. Collier is the director of debate and chair of the Communications Studies Department at the University of MissouriKansas City. Since founding the debate program at UMKC in 1986, she has led teams to four national championships and 12 Top 20 rankings.

Along with Collier and high school debate teachers, collegiate debaters and community volunteers serve as student mentors. They help teach high school students the research, vocabulary and presentation skills needed to succeed in debate and in life!

Keeping it Going

DEBATE-Kansas City is funded in large part by a three-year grant from the Open Society Institute of New York, one of 31 nonprofit organizations operated by international financier George Soros. The Open Society Institute supports bringing competitive debate to underserved high school communities as an educational and crosscultural opportunity to learn skills for social change.

To continue the program at the end of the three-year start-up funding, DEBATE-Kansas City will seek out local and national grant programs and funding opportunities. Those who share in supporting the program also share in knowing they have made a significant difference in helping to shape tomorrow's potential leaders.

Opportunities to Participate

There are many ways to become involved with DEBATE-Kansas City:

Students - Any high school students interested in learning more about DEBATE-Kansas City should contact their principal, who can direct them to the teacher at their school who is sponsoring debate activities. If your school is not currently a part of our program, feel free to contact DEBATE-Kansas City directly at the numbers listed below.

Parents - In an effort to make debate a permanent fixture in the educational landscape of Kansas City, we need parental support. If you are interested in volunteering at tournaments or with a booster club, please contact your child's principal or debate coach.

Teachers and Principals - Many high schools in the area have not had debate programs for many years. As a result there may not be experienced debate teachers in the building ready to run a new debate program. Therefore, it is imperative to get teachers trained and ready to coach a debate squad. This is a task that DEBATEKansas City can help you achieve. There are opportunities for principals and teachers to attend various workshops during the school year. We also invite teachers to an intensive summer training to learn more about coaching high school debate.

Volunteers and Mentors - Our volunteers are truly the backbone of this program. DEBATE-Kansas City is always looking for individuals with debate knowledge and experience to judge and coach our students. But even if you don't have any debate experience, there are still many ways you can help. Some possible opportunities to volunteer include: timing debate rounds at tournaments, serving refreshments at our activities, sponsoring a booster club, or becoming a part of our board of directors.

Funders -The future of DEBATE-Kansas City relies on the financial support of local businesses, community organizations and concerned individuals who want to invest in the future of Kansas City youth. There are many ways you can help fund our program. For example, your generosity could send a student to debate camp or sponsor a field trip. The possibilities are endless.

For More Information

Linda M. Collier
Director of DEBATE-Kansas City
816-235-1695
collierl@umkc.edu

Fax: 816-235-5539

Holly Reiss (816) 235-5267 reissh@umkc.edu

University of Missouri-Kansas City
DEBATE-Kansas City
Department of Communications Studies
202 Haag Hall
5100 Rockhill Road
Kansas City, MO 64110-2499

UPCOMING EVENTS

December 9 UMKC Campus

January 13 or 20 UMKC

February 10 UMKC

March 3 UMKC

You will need to download a free copy of RealPlayer in order to watch our videos. Then, just click on the videos you are interested in and it should start your RealPlayer and you can watch our streaming video.

EMMANUEL CLEAVER: MESSAGE TO UDL STUDENTS
The Mayor of Kansas City congratulates and encourages Kansas City UDL students and coaches. Recorded 1999. 8:25.

PROCLAMATION FROM THE MAYOR OF KANSAS CITY

During the ceremony, copies of a proclamation issued by Mayor Emanuel Cleaver were presented to the coaches and principals from Central, Lincoln, Northeast, and Van Horn. The proclamation read in part:

WHEREAS, seventy-four Kansas City students have participated in the DEBATE-Kansas City program, creating 4,680 minutes of competitive argumentation during five tournaments, UMKC debaters have volunteered 775 hours to coaching and judging high school debaters, and

WHEREAS, Mr. Willie Bowie, the Principal of Central High School and Ms. Jane Rinehart, the debate coach and teacher of the Central High School Debate Squad hosted a tournament, and guided their students to many awards, including two First Place Sweepstakes awards; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Lynn Kowalski, the Principal of Lincoln College Prep High School and Ms. Carolyn James-Vossman, the debate coach and teacher of the Lincoln College Prep High School Debate Squad hosted a tournament, and guided their students to many awards, including a First Place Sweepstakes award, and

WHEREAS, Mr. Stephen Brown, Jr., the Principal of Northeast High School and Ms. Alyce Love, the debate coach and teacher of the Northeast High School Debate Squad hosted a tournament, and guided their students to many awards, including a First Place Sweepstakes award; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Mary Long, the Principal of Van Horn High School and Mr. Craig Rogers, the debate coach and teacher of the Van Horn High School Debate Squad hosted a tournament, and guided their students to many awards, including two Third Place Sweepstakes awards; and

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Emanuel Cleaver II, Mayor of Kansas City, Missouri, do hereby commend, congratulate and cite the DEBATE-Kansas City Program.

/S/ Emanuel Cleaver II, Mayor.

As Myron King, former project administrator, pointed out in his remarks to the 250 people at the semester awards ceremony at UMKC, every one of those students has achieved personal victories which come from learning how to take a stand -- regardless the trophies or certificates.

Note from the Director, Linda M. Collier

Please help me thank Kim Burrow, Project Administrator, who is doing a marvelous job. She has managed, planned and directed the tournament events of the most recent semester. She's put in many, many hours or work since I lured her away from working at Hallmark Cards.

Myron King, the first project administrator, did a marvelous job getting the program off the ground and recruiting the wonderful teachers we have working in the program.

Kim has taken Myron's efforts to the next level. She helped Ms. Love create a school-time debate class and add it to this fall's schedule at Northeast. She has worked very hard to to bring the Southeast and Paseo programs into being, and makes regular visits to all the schools when tournaments aren't happening.

It would take up too much space to list everything Kim has done. Please let her know what a wonderful job she's doing the next time you see her

The Kansas City Star Dec. 10, 1998

The point of debate:
KC school district students are learning
life skills through new program

By LESLEY NORD

How well the United States gets along with Russia may not sound too interesting to most teens. But for some Kansas City high school students, the topic became their life this fall.

During and after school they'd spend hours researching subjects such as the Russian Mafia, prostitution, global satellite stations, nuclear weapons and the environment.

"The only thing I knew about Russia was that it was a big country on the other side of the ocean and that their economy was failing,"said Central High sophomore Danielle Hicks."Now I know pretty much anything you would want to know about Russia."

The reason: For the first time since the '70s, students like Danielle in the Kansas City, Mo., School District high schools were taking debate.

DEBATE-Kansas City, a three-year pilot program, came about thanks to Linda Collier, who leads the University of Missouri-Kansas City's debate team, and a $700,000 grant from the Open Society Institute-New York, funded by philanthropist George Soros.

The students found themselves often giving up spare time to do research. Researching took up to three hours every day after school at the school libraries or the university.

"Within our group we use the Internet and go to the library to get books,"said Tennille Denson, a junior at Northeast High.

They learned quickly that Russia was not the only thing they had to know. In contests they would be judged on how well they mastered certain techniques in the art of persuasion, techniques that proved to be helpful outside of the tournaments.

"I learned about how to think really fast and how to respond,"said Sarah Williams, a sophomore at Lincoln Prep."Sometimes you can get into arguing and just want to prove your point."

"You have to be civil and you are graded on conduct. We learned arguing in the proper format and now I can argue with teachers about grades. It's good with parents, too."

A lot of the techniques were taught by volunteers from UMKC's nationally recognized debate team.

"Our student coaches help us out of the goodness in their hearts,"Central's Hicks said.

Employing the debate know-how taught the kids even more after a few months of work. They picked up life skills to help them in the real world.

"They watch the news now when they used to not care,"said Alyce Love, a teacher who coaches for Northeast."Their vocabulary is tremendous."

John Adib, a sophomore at Lincoln Prep, said,"It's helped me see an issue from a different point of view and helped me take a stand for an issue, even if it's something I might not believe in."

Northeast's Denson learned about how the government works and"how we look at the smaller countries. You can apply it in other situations too, like in some schools and school boards, and Russia is underdeveloped and other countries aren't. It all works the same."

The next step for DEBATE-Kansas City is to compete in tournaments at suburban high schools.

"I do think we are ready for the competition,"Denson said. 'All we have to do is just go out there and do it."

P S. Last Saturday DEBATE-Kansas City held its semester-ending, daylong tournament at UMKC. The top-rated team of Michael Thomas and John Lindsey, both from Central, went undefeated. The top-rated speaker was Bryan Dial, also of Central.

List of the DEBATE-Kansas City High Schools:

Central High School
Principal Willie Bowie
Debate Coach Jane Rinehart
816-418-2000
816-418-2027 fax
3221 Indiana
Kansas City, MO 64128

Lincoln College Prep
Principal Lynn Kowalski
Debate Coaches: Carolyn James-Vossman and Nancy Karraker 2111 Woodland
Kansas City, MO 64106
816-418-3000 main line
816-418-3025 fine arts dept. (Ms. James-Vossman's direct line) 816 418-3015 fax

Northeast High School
Principal Stephen Brown, Jr.
Coach Alyce Love
415 South Van Brunt
Kansas City, MO 64124
816-418-3300
816-418-3310 fax

Paseo Academy of Fine & Performing Arts
Principal Roger Williams
No coach has been indicated at this time
4747 Flora
Kansas City, MO 64110
816-418-2275
816-418-2300 fax

Southeast High School
Principal Jeffery Stewart
Debate Coach Louisa Beilan
3500 E. Meyer Blvd.
Kansas City, MO 64132
816-418-1075
816-418-1099 fax

Van Horn High School
Principal Mary Long
Debate Coach Craig Rogers
1109 Arlington
Independence, MO 54063
816-418-4000
816-418-4021 fax

Westport High School
Principal Bill Elliott
Debate Coach James Ferraro
315 East 39th Street
Kansas City, MO 64114
816-418-6100
816-418-6140 fax

TOP 20 SPEAKERS AND TEAMS FROM THE FALL SEMESTER 1998

Speakers

1 . Bryan Dial Central High School
2. RaShaun Garlington Central High School
3. Nadia Curren Northeast High School
4. Richard Thompson Lincoln College Pre
5. DeAndre Tolbert Central High School
6. Sarah Williams Lincoln College Prep
7. Amanda Kitchen Central High School
8. John Lindsay Central High School
9. Lesley Smith Lincoln College Prep
10. Jeremy Rowe Central High School
11. Marion Innis Central High School
12. Tennilla Denson Northeast High School
13, Danielle Hicks Central High School
14. Denise Wise Central High School
15. Michael Thomas Central High School
16. John Davis Northeast High School
17. Marquita Johnson Northeast High School
18. Chrisitn Townsend Lincoln College Prep
19. Kaleena Rounds Central High School
20. Candace Johnson Central High School
20. Evelyn Velasquez Van Horn High School

TEAMS WINNING 3 OR MORE ROUNDS

1 CENTRAL TL 12
2 CENTRAL HD 10
3, LINCOLN ST 8
4. NORTHEAST HD 7
5, NORTHEAST DJ 7
6. CENTRAL GK 7
7 LINCOLN RP 6
8 CENTRAL JW 6
9 CENTRAL GR 6
10. CENTRAL MN 6
10.NORTHEAST CG 6
(ON] GROVES HAS MOVED)
11. LINCOLN MIT 5
LINCOLN JW 5
VAN HORN AC 5
14. CENTRAL RH 4
VAN HORN PH 4
VAN HORN BK 4
VAN HORN RN AV 4
18. NORTHEAST BC 3
NORTHEAST GO 3
LINCOLN LB 3
LINCOLN HW 3
CENTRAL KT 3
CENTRAL KN 3

The top ten were decided by wins, opposition record, seeding at the final tournament. The ties for the remaining teams were not broken.

The semester sweepstakes race was won by Central High School, with Lincoln College Prep and Northeast High School tied for second.

Thanks to all the parents, friends and other relatives who support the students of DEBATE-Kansas City.

Kim Burrow, Project Administrator, 235-5267