Suncoast Credit Union

The goal of the program is provide students with the critical thinking and communication skills needed to actively and effectively engage in the democratic processes of American society.

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The Great Debaters II

School:
Immokalee High 
Subject:
Other 
Teacher:
Jimmy Camp 
Students Impacted:
35 
Grade:
9-12 
Date:
July 30, 2022

Investors

Thank you to the following investors for funding this grant.

 

Naples Luxury Builders - $900.00

Naples Luxury Builders - $875.00

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Impact to My Classroom

# of Students Impacted: 30

     The Great Debaters  II project has had a significant impact on the students of Immokalee High School participating in the program this year.  Traditionally, the Immokalee High School Debate Team has been a club activity until 2021 -2022 when Debate was added to the course offerings at the school. This year, Debate I and Debate II  courses were offered to students. We were able to double our orignal impact from last year with 30 students participating at some level of competition.


     Through the generous support of Champions for Learning and their donor Naples Luxury Builders, we were able to create an optimal practice environment for debaters to prepare for competition, send our students to regional, state, and national competitions, and host competitions at our new Innovation Center.  Debate Team members participated in fifteen tournaments and three workshops throughout this season with many placing in the semi-final and final rounds.  Our team’s greatest accomplishment this season was participation by two of our team members in the Great Debate, a national competition hosted by the Florida Civics and Debate Initiative in Orlando and two of our team members breaking to the semi-final rounds of the Incubate Debate League' s state championship.  In addition we were able to host three events at our newly opened Innovation Center at Immokalee High School which houses our Speech and Debate program.     

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IHS Debate Recognized by CCPS

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IHS Prepping for the Final Round

 

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Our First National Competition

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Competing at the MLK Day Symposium

 

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Victory at State Competition

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Moving on to the Semi-Finals

 

Original Grant Overview

Goal

The goal of the program is provide students with the critical thinking and communication skills needed to actively and effectively engage in the democratic processes of American society. 

 

What will be done with my students

Immokalee High School is expanding its highly successful Debate program in the Fall of 2022. This program will consist of classroom instruction and participation in local, regional, and state-wide debate competition. Additionally, we anticipate up to five students participating in the National Civics & Debate competition held in Orlando. Students will learn the fundamentals of the major styles of competitive debate such as Lincoln-Douglas, Public Forum, and Congressional. Students will learn to conduct research, think critically, and express their informed viewpoint in a civil manner.

Immokalee High School debaters will participate in a series of competitions within three different debate leagues and will host tournaments including the state championships for Incubate Debate in April of 2023 at our new Innovation Center building.  

 

Benefits to my students

Participation in competitive debate was chosen as an area to expand due to its direct link to academic success and civic engagement. Robert Litan, a respected economist and public policy analyst, summarizes the benefits to students in his recent book: Resolved - Debate Can Revolutionize Education and Help Save Our Democracy. He posits that when students learn how to research, think logically, speak with civility that they gain the ability to see arguments from multiple perspectives and become better citizens. Litan's view is supported by Beth Eskin, Director of the Florida Civics and Debate Initiative, when she states that “These [debate] programs help students develop problem solving, communication, teamwork and analytical skills...." Debate has been shown to enhance the probability of future student success for a diverse student population including those whose first language is one other than English as demonstrated in the writings of Bo Seo (2022) a two time World Debate champion. 

 

Budget Narrative

Immokalee High School is a Title 1 School in rural, eastern Collier County serving approximately 2000 students who have great potential, but few material resources. Grant funds would be utilized for the equipment necessary for students to learn and practice oral communication skills for debate competitions, travel to various competitions throughout the state, and host tournaments at its recently opened Innovation Center.  

 

Items

# Item Cost
1 Timers $125.00
2 Podiums $300.00
3 Tournament Travel $400.00
4 Tournament Hosting Expenses $500.00
5 Team Shirts $450.00
  Total: $1,775.00

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Special Thanks to Our Presenting Partners

Suncoast Credit Union